Although we may think that heart disease only affects men, heart disease still affects a lot of women. It is important that women take steps to understand the symptoms of heart disease and try to reduce their risk.
What are the heart attack symptoms for women?
Even though the most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain in the chest, women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as: 
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Unusual fatigue
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
- Pain in one or both arms
The symptoms may occur more often when the women is resting or even asleep.
If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
What are the risk factors?
Women of all ages should pay attention to the risk factors, especially women with a family history of heart disease. 
Coronary artery disease (such as high blood, high cholesterol, pressure and obesity) maybe a risk factors affecting both women and men, however there are other factors may play a more significant role in the development of heart disease in women:
- Diabetes
- Mental stress and depression.
- Smoking
- Inactivity
- Menopause
- Broken heart syndrome
- Pregnancy complications
What can women do to reduce their risk of heart disease?
Life style changes are important to reduce the risk of heart disease. For instance:
- Avoid smoking.
- Practice sports and Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet. For instance, your meals should include whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, fat-free dairy products, and lean meats. You should also avoid saturated or trans fat, excess amounts of salt, and added sugars.
- Take prescribed medications appropriately and as prescribed by the doctor.
- Consult with the doctor to manage other conditions such as high blood pressure.