Ignoring symptoms and avoiding needed care can lead to more serious health issues.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge!

1. Which of the following is a general sign of a heart attack?

a.) Discomfort or pain in the center of your chest
b.) Shortness of breath
c.) Headache
d.) A cold sweat with nausea or lightheadedness

2. True or False: Signs of heart attack are exactly the same for men and women.

3. A sign of heart attack particular to women might be:

a.) Unusual fatigue
b.) Sleep disturbance
c.) Shortness of breath
d.) Indigestion
e.) Anxiety
f.) All of the above

4. What is the leading cause of death in the United States?

a.) Lung cancer
b.) Heart disease
c.) Stroke
d.) Breast cancer

5. In men, the risk of heart attack increases after what age?

a.) 60
b.) 55
c.) 45
d.) 65

6. Besides age, the following factors may put you at increased risk for heart attack:

a.) Cigarette smoking
b.) Stress
c.) Strenuous exercise
d.) Not eating enough protein

Your health care professional can help you understand how to reduce your risk for heart attack. Ask about symptoms and how to reduce the chances of heart attack if you think you are at risk.

Answers

1. All but C. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with only mild pain or discomfort.

2. False. For many women, symptoms can be much different and often go unnoticed. In a study published in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation (March 15, 2005), researchers found unusual fatigue or trouble sleeping were two of the most common warning signs in women that they were about to have a heart attack.

3. E. All of the signs listed are included on the 2005 website of the American Heart Association. Visit www.americanheart.org

4. B. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, respectively, accounting for about 40 percent of all deaths, according to the American Heart Association's "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2005 Update."

5. C. In women, heart attacks are most likely to occur after menopause, which is usually around age 50, www.americanheart.org (2005)

6. A. Some other factors include obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity and high cholesterol.