NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — A new Yale study indicates that women suffering from heart attack symptoms are less likely to have it diagnosed properly, leading to serious problems.<br /><br />Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is cut off, often due to arterial blockage, which then results in tissue death or damage, according to the Cleveland Clinic.<br /><br />The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the U.S., heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, accounting for 1 in every 4 female deaths.<br /><br />The study led by the Yale School of Public Health analyzed data from 2,009 female and 976 male heart attack patients aged 18 to 55. Findings show that 53% of women who sought help prior to hospitalization were told their symptoms weren't heart-related, compared to only 37% of men.<br /><br />Ninety percent of men and women reported having chest pains, but women often had extra symptoms like indigestion, heart palpitations, and pain the jaw, neck, and arms.<br /><br />Instead of attributing their symptoms to muscle pain, the women were more likely to chalk it up to stress and anxiety.<br /><br />They also had multiple risk factors for heart disease, which suggests doctors should do more to rule out a heart attack when presented with such cases.
