Heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men throughout the world. Women are as vulnerable to a heart attack as men are. Women account for nearly 50 percent of all heart attack deaths. There are differences in how women and men respond to a heart attack. Women are less likely than men to believe they are having a heart attack and more likely to delay in seeking emergency treatment.

Further, women tend to be about 10 years older than men when they have a heart attack. They are more likely to have other conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, making it all the more vital that they get proper treatment fast.

Women should learn the heart attack warning signs which are:

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea
• Light-headedness

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

When women have the above heart-attack symptoms, they should not delay, as every minute is very precious. The first one hour is the golden hour of the persons getting heart attack because if they get proper treatment within that time they can survive the deadly attack.