Women have been warned not to ignore an early sign of a potential heart attack, which many would brush under the carpet.
Health anxiety is a very real thing, and while some people get every little niggle checked out by a medical professional, others prefer to ignore it in the hope it might go away by itself.
However, not getting prompt medical attention for some things can prove deadly, as in the case of a heart attack.
Experts have shared the one small sign women shouldn't ignore as it could mean a heart attack is to come within the next month.
According to a study published in Circulation, a scientific journal for the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
It has also advocated for more awareness of the warning signs that could save people's lives.
While women tend to have heart attacks half as frequently as men do, it is still twice as deadly to them as breast cancer is, according to the British Heart Foundation.
The British Heart Foundation's research also stated that women are 50 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed following a heart attack, and are also more likely to delay getting medical help as they do not always recognize the symptoms that a heart attack is in progress.
This in turn means women are less likely to get lifesaving treatments in time, or medication prescribed which could prevent a second heart attack.
While most people would know the symptoms of a heart attack as being chest pain or tightness, or tingling in the arm, there are other more subtle signs - particularly prevalent in women - which could signal that a heart attack is imminent.
According to Circulation, 39 percent of women reported experiencing indigestion in the month leading up to a heart attack.
The symptom was not present during the heart attack itself but in the days and weeks leading up to it, meaning it could serve as a potential early warning sign.
The most common other symptom seven out of 10 women who had a heart attack reported was feeling unusually tired in the month beforehand.
Around half experienced some form of disturbance with their sleep, while over four in 10 had shortness of breath, out of a study of over 20,000 people aged between 45 and 79 across a total of 11 years.
But how can you reduce your chances of having a heart attack?
Their top advice is to quit smoking as that is a leading cause of heart attacks, followed by other lifestyle changes.
A healthy and balanced diet including lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and fish is also recommended.
If you are experiencing any symptoms which may point to a heart attack, it's always best to seek medical help sooner rather than later as it may just be lifesaving.
.jpg_WaQeo7?tr=h-184)
