The most common symptom of a heart attack in both men and women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it's not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women. Women are more likely than men to have signs and symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

    * Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
    * Shortness of breath
    * Nausea or vomiting
    * Sweating
    * Lightheadedness or dizziness
    * Unusual fatigue

These signs and symptoms are more subtle than the obvious crushing chest pain often associated with heart attacks.

Women often get to the emergency rooms after much heart damage has already occurred because their symptoms are not those typically associated with a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms or think you're having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. DON'T DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

What are the heart disease risk factors for women?
Although the traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease — high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity — affect women and men, other factors may play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women. For example:

    * Metabolic syndrome — a combination of fat around your abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high triglycerides — has a greater impact on women than on men.
    * Mental stress and depression affect women's hearts more than men's.
    * Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than in men.
    * Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels (small vessel heart disease).

Is heart disease something only older women should worry about?
No. While heart disease is the leading cause of death for women 65 and older, it's the third-leading cause of death for women 25 to 44 and the second-leading cause of death for women 45 to 64. Women under the age of 65 who have a family history of heart disease should pay particularly close attention to the heart disease risk factors. Still, all women, of all ages, should take heart disease seriously.

Do you think you're at risk for heart attack? Click here to take a health risk assessment.