3 things every woman needs to know about heart attacks

1. About 210 people die from heart disease every day in South Africa and the figure is rising. One in four women will have a heart condition before 60; menopause increases the risk threefold.

2. Heart attack symptoms in women may not be the typical tightness or chest pain; expect an uneasy feeling in the chest, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and/or swollen feet.

3. Smoking, alcohol, obesity, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyles heighten the risk; reduce the risk by maintaining healthy weight, limiting salt and alcohol, and reducing stress. 

Source: The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA.