2.  Heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer  Stroke is women’s No. 3 killer

3.  CVD — kills more women than the next 7 causes of death combined  Breast cancer — kills 1 in 30 women  CVD — kills 1 of every 2.5 women

4.  Coronary heart disease rates in women rise 2-3 times after menopause  Blacks are at higher risk than whites  1 of 3 Hispanic females dies of diseases of the heart and stroke

5.  In 1997, AHA launched a major public awareness campaign on women and heart disease  In 2000 and 2003, follow-up surveys were done

6.  Cancer still perceived as women’s leading health problem  Women under age 45 and certain racial/ethnic groups had lower awareness that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer  Women know of CVD risk factors in general but often not their own risks

7. This campaign helps women discover unique lifesaving power by learning about heart disease and stroke and taking positive action to reduce their risk

8.  To raise awareness  To prevent heart disease and stroke  To save lives

9. CVD is the number one killer of women in America Women’s heart attack symptoms are different from men’s If you are not aware of the above, you will not recognize a heart attack in a female patient and they will have a bad outcome

10.  Many women never have chest pain  Women’s symptoms are not as predictable  Women and health care providers minimize or dismiss symptoms as not related to heart disease

11.  Unusual fatigue-70%  Sleep disturbance-48%  Shortness of breath-42%  Indigestion-39%  Anxiety-35%

12.  Shortness of breath-58%  Weakness-55%  Unusual fatigue-43%  Cold sweat-39%  Dizziness-39%

13.  Know the atypical presentation of heart disease in women  Get a 12 lead  Insist that they go to the hospital