Women, it's time to get serious about heart disease!

Heart disease is a serious threat to the lives of all Americans, and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. As the leading cause of female fatalities in the US, women should especially sit up and pay attention. Here are some fast facts that you should know about this serious condition and how it relates to the ladies in our country.

• One-third of women's deaths in America are caused by heart disease.
• Heart disease claims the lives of more women than breast cancer and lung cancer combined.
• Although men are at a higher risk for heart disease, female heart disease patients are more likely to experience serious complications, including death, within a year of their first symptoms.
• If a woman has diabetes, she is two and a half times more likely to eventually have a heart attack.
• Over 50 percent of women are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle that increases the risk of heart disease.
• Women are less likely than men to have an accurate diagnosis after a heart attack. This is because women do not always experience chest pain during a heart attack. Their symptoms may be more subtle or mirror another condition.

Get out your favorite red shirt on February 1st! It's National Wear Red Day. Help us promote good heart health and spread awareness of the dangers of heart disease. Take some time to learn more about the cardiac care available to you from HCA East Florida. If you would like to talk to a doctor about your risk of heart disease, call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362 for a physician referral or to schedule an appointment.

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