Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bayer. You will want to read it, though, as I have done a ton of research into what women should look for in heart attacks, and this is info that you’ll want to tuck away into your knowledge bank.

The French have it right. Inspired cuisine, detail-rich architecture, and an appreciation of ‘amour’ that outlasts the February Valentine’s fad. We are embarking on a month where matters of the heart reign supreme. But while many of us search for the perfect lingerie or chocolate truffles, somebody we know is suffering from heart disease. Keeping ourselves and our loved ones around for as long as possible is a far better Valentine’s gift than love-handle inducing candy.

We take the time to send candy hearts and heart-shaped pizzas – why not take the time also to understand more about how the human heart works. And better yet – how do we recognize a heart attack in women?

I read a very scary article recently about women and heart disease. The myth until very recently was that only men have heart attacks, and very little research or attention was given to how women’s hearts work. (Shocking that male-focused research was more heavily funded than women’s health issues). Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and for us, the signs of heart attack are very similar to everyday occurrences we suffer because, well. We are women and do everything.

Over your lifetime your heart will pump about 1 million barrels of blood (enough to fill 3 supertankers) and beats 100, 000 times per day. A heart attack happens when this muscle isn’t getting enough blood flow. Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the western world, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging. I’ll say it again later, but If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 then crush or chew two ASPIRIN® 81mg tablets. it could save your life.

heart-month-aspirinIn most people, heart attacks produce these symptoms:

  1. Chest discomfort
  2. Upper body discomfort (including discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck and back)
  3. Shortness of breath
  4. Sweating and nausea
  5. Light-headedness

Specifically for women, symptoms can be different. They include:

  1. Unusual Fatigue
  2. Sweating and/or shortness of breath
  3. Neck, jaw or back pain
  4. Pain in either arm – not just the left like in men

I know, right? Fabulous. So the symptoms we all feel 50 times a day *could* be the sign of a heart attack.

According to the American Heart Association, you should call 911 right away if you experience the following heart attack signs in women:

  1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 take 1-2 Aspirin and get to a hospital right away. In the case of a heart attack make sure you seek immediate treatment. The longer you wait, the more damage to the heart muscle can occur. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 then crush or chew two ASPIRIN® 81mg tablets. it could save your life.  ASPIRIN 81mg is approved in Canada for emergency use during a heart attack. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

If you have questions about your heart, talk to a doctor or trusted health care professional.

ASPIRIN®81 does not prevent heart attacks. But do you know what could? Healthy eating. Quitting smoking. And exercise. So now that you know the signs and symptoms, it’s time to really value yourself and take care of your heart. Somebody who loves you very much will be most appreciative. Don’t break somebody else’s heart by not taking care of your own.

For more information about Aspirin click here.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Bayer. All opinions are our own.

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