Five Facts You Need to Know About Heart Health

Did you know that 1 in 31 American women dies of breast cancer, while 1 in 3 women dies of heart disease? February is Heart Health month, let’s take this time to discuss heart health. Here are 5 facts that you need to know about heart disease:

1.    Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately  one woman every minute.

2.    Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart  disease.

3.    Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health  threat.

4.    Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.

5.    In 2013, Minnesotans experienced almost 45,000 acute heart disease  hospitalizations.

The facts don't lie, heart health is a huge deal. Do you know the major signs of heart attacks in women? Check out these telltale signs of heart attacks in women:

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

It's never too late to start taking care of your heart! For these and other facts about heart health, check out the American Heart Association!