In a recent study by the National Institutes of health, 95-percent of women who had suffered heart attacks said they experienced symptoms a month or more before experiencing their heart attack. The symptoms most commonly reported were unusual fatigue, sleep disturbance, and shortness of breath. Additionally, fewer than 30 percent reported having chest pain or discomfort immediately prior to the heart attack, and 43 percent reported having no chest pain at all ” even during the heart attack.

"But many doctors still consider chest pain the most common heart attack symptom in both women and men," said cardiologist Dr. Tulika Jain, co-medical director of the heart and vascular screening program. "That's why the mission to raise awareness about female heart disease is so important. Spotting it early allows us to more effectively treat the condition."

Among the potentially deadly conditions associated with cardiovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a serious health risk which may lead to limb loss, stroke, heart attack and sudden death, and most people are unaware they even have it until it's too late.

The screening program at Texas Health Dallas provides patients with simple, painless heart risk and vascular screenings. Vascular screenings include carotid ultrasound; aortic ultrasound; PAD screenings; and one-on-one discussions with a medical provider to discuss risk reduction. Heart risk screenings include a detailed heart health history; EKG and ABI (lower-extremity Doppler test); blood pressure check; HbA1C and C-reactive protein blood test; cholesterol and diabetes screenings; and one-on-one discussions with a medical provider.

SOURCE Texas Health Resources