Minority Women's Health - Asian-Americans - Heart Disease

Minority Women's Health
Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Heart disease is a group of diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system in the heart. Coronary artery disease, the most common type, affects the blood vessels of the heart. It can cause angina (an-JEYE-nuh) or a heart attack. Angina is a pain in the chest that happens when the heart does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Having angina means you're more likely to have a heart attack. A heart attack happens when a clot mostly or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle.

Signs of a heart attack:

•Chest discomfort — pressure, squeezing, or pain
•Shortness of breath
•Discomfort in the upper body — arms, shoulder, neck, back
•Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating

Women can also have less common symptoms, including:

•Unusual tiredness
•Trouble sleeping
•Problems breathing
•Indigestion (upset stomach)
•Anxiety (feeling uneasy or worried)


Minority Women's Health - Asian-Americans - Heart Disease

FACT: The heart disease rate is 4 times higher for South Asian women than for Caucasian women. http://go.usa.gov/bOS