Sister to Sister

Five Heart Facts Every Woman Should Know

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, but it doesn’t have to be. Founded in 1999 by women’s health advocate Irene Pollin, the Sister to Sister Foundation is dedicated to preventing heart disease in women.

But why does Sister to Sister focus on women? These are some heart disease facts that every woman should know, as well as the men who love them.

Get a flu shot if you’ve got heart disease

While no one wants to get hit with the flu—or the coughing, fever, and chills that go along with it—it’s extra important to get a flu shot if you have heart disease. A recent British study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, found that when someone with existing heart disease comes down with the flu, her risk of suffering a heart attack increases by 50 percent.

Act on Heart Attack Signs Fast

Compared to men, women are less likely to believe they are having a heart attack and more likely to delay seeking treatment. Learn the heart attack warning signs (they can be different for men and women) and seek treatment fast.

Learn CPR to Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately after someone has had a heart attack can double the chances of survival. Considering that the vast majority of heart attacks occur at home, it’s a smart idea to be prepared. Sign up your entire family for a CPR class today!

Know the Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

Many women don't seek prompt treatment for a heart attack because the signs are different in women than the "classic" crushing chest pain in men. A woman is more likely to experience shortness of breath, weakness and unusual fatigue when having a heart attack. If you have any of these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.

Heart Attack Signs

Men and women may differ in their experience of heart attack symptoms. For men, the most common sign of a heart attack is pain or pressure in the chest. Women are more likely than men to have unusual or "atypical" signs of a heart attack. Some of these symptoms may come and go.