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Heart attack symptoms for women can be subtle
You could say two-year-old Allie is the second miracle in her mom's life. The first, for Sandra Revill Tremulis of Minnetrista, was narrowly escaping a massive heart attack. She says, "I almost died of a heart attack at 39 years of age." A family history of heart disease was catching up to Sandra who had been a runner her whole life. She says, "I usually run about 5 miles and I had this mild tingling sensation in my chest and just this extreme fatigue. And when I ran it came on. When I slowed down it went away." One doctor gave her a clean bill of health. But just in case, Sandra took aspirin after running. Finally her intuition told her to see a specialist. She says, "I had a 95% blocked main artery in my heart and the doctors were surprised I was even alive." She had a stent put in. Doctors say the aspirin probably saved her life. Dr. Betty Grey, a cardiologist with the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, says, "Any symptom that is brought about by exertion is something to check out." While men's symptoms are often described as crushing chest pain, and women can have that too, some women's heart attack symptoms are often more subtle. Dr. Grey says, "That includes shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, nausea, sweating... things that don't really feel like pain." Sandra now works with WomenHeart, a non-profit that raises awareness about women and heart disease. She knows many women who have had heart attacks and says, "Some women have pain in their shoulders, pain in their jaw, pain in their elbows." She's designed an aspirin case for WomenHeart that looks like one she made to tie to her running shoes. Bayer has teamed up with WomenHeart to offer one free to every woman that joins Facebook.com and become a fan of their WomenHeart Strong @ Heart page. Sandra is here today because she listened to her intuition and her subtle symptoms. Just three years after her stent was put in, she was able to give birth to her second miracle, Allie. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking aspirin regularly because there can be risks. F or heart attack symptoms for women and men, you can go to the American Heart Association website. For women's symptoms, go to the WomenHeart website. For more on the Women's Only Cardiac Support Group through the Minneapolis Heart Institute click here. Also, on Saturday, February 28th, the last day of the month, Health Fair 11 will offer free Healthy Heart Screenings at more than 60 cub pharmacy locations. Be watching for details in the coming weeks.
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