Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States.  Women between the ages of 46 and 64 face a 1 in 9 chance of being diagnosed with heart disease, while women 65 and older face a 1 in 3 chance.

Dr. David Sullivan, a cardiologist at SCRMC, says, “Women tend to grossly underestimate their own personal risk of heart disease, because we’re told in the vernacular that it’s a disease that affects men, and not women.”

Symptoms of a heart attack in women differ slightly from men and can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light headedness.

Dr. Sullivan will be speaking at the “Speaking of Women Luncheon” this Friday, February 5, at noon, at South Central Place in Laurel.  The cost of the luncheon is $8.50.  To register, call (601) 399-0506.