[future]

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men - and women. Unfortunately, women are at a disadvantage when it comes to matters of the heart - they often don't realize that heart disease is as much of a threat to them as it is to men. They are less likely than men to believe they're having a heart attack and therefore are more likely to put off seeking treatment. In addition, doctors tend to treat women less aggressively with surgery, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or even aspirin after a heart attack.

Whether you're a man or a woman, use the Daily Tips throughout February to learn more about nutrition, lifestyle and supplements that may benefit your heart, and to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack. Symptoms shared by both men and women include:

Chest discomfort
Arm discomfort
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea
Clammy skin
Indigestion-like stomach discomfort
Additionally, women are more likely than men to experience throat, jaw and neck discomfort during a heart attack.

Supplements for Your Heart?
Specific vitamins may help support and maintain optimal heart function, including coenzyme Q10, magnesium and omega-3s.

[islander]

great Future thanks, good things to know. I think most people think girls..boobs..breast cancer, as the leading reason of death but it is heart disease. Alot heart damage is done in your 20's and 30's which people dont realize. Also just because you eat healthy and are physically fit dosnt mean your not as risk it can be genetic. The three people ive known who had heart attacks did not have any chest pains or tingles in there arm so dont think because you are not having these at all it means your not having a attack all just had shortness of breath and lightheadedness.

[Scorpio Girl]

I've also hear of severe pain in the traps and shoulders and upper back in general being a symptom.

[ZiR RED]

Ironic, we were discussing some of this in medical physiology yesterday. Appearantly, the sensations of female heart attacks or angina are different from those in men. For example, some signs can often be mistaken as indigestion or heart burn.

Fish oil is a must or vascular health. In a nut shell, many heart attacks are related to coronary artery diease, or blockage of the arteries supplying the heart with blood and oxygen.
What happens is the endothelial cells (cells lining blood vessels) become damaged, white blood cells (neutrophils to be exact...scavengers) attach to the site and begin consuming cholesterol and lipids. As a result, a plaque is building up. This plaque is trouble some for two reasons. 1. It can build up large enough to occlude or block flow altogether (or reduce flow to dangerous lows) or, it can rupture (explode) and plaque particles will clog smaller arteries down stream.
Either way, it results in a lack of blood and oxygen to an earea of the heart, and as a result heart tissue will die rendering the heart weaker and less effective.

Now, fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids. The two major omega-3s used by the body are EPA and DHA. DHA is converted by the body to a chemical called Resolvin D2. Resolvin D2 is an anti-inflammatory, and signals the endothelial cells to produce more nitrous oxide (NO). By doing so, it prevents white blood cells from attaching to the lining of the blood vessel, causing inflammation in the area, and sucking in cholesterol and lipids whereby a plaque will grow.

Some physiological rambling on my part. But...take your fish oil ladies.

Br

[Freak]

Yep, arm pain (usually left arm) radiating to the back/shoulders/ traps, and indigestion are the most common symptoms of MI in women.

[ZiR RED]

Ah hah! Found it in my notes.

The symptoms less commonly experienced in myocardial infarctions (heart attacks, MI) and more commonly experienced by women and elderly are called "anginal equivalent". These include dyspnea, nausea and vomiting, diaphoresis, and unexplained fatigue (Abidov et al., 2005).

Br