Cardiac Services at California Pacific Medical Center

The Women’s Heart Advantage (WHA) is an initiative sponsored by the Sutter Health in conjunction with the Women’s Heart Advantage program. WHA seeks to increase awareness and knowledge about the nature and risks of heart disease in women. Through WHA we hope to help save the lives of more women through patient education of early warning signs recognition and symptoms and by stimulating patient-physician communication regarding behavioral changes.

A majority of women in Northern California have one or more risk factors for heart disease, but many of them do not consider themselves to be at risk for a heart attack. Most women are not even aware that heart disease is their greatest health threat. In fact, since 1984 more women than men have died from heart attacks.

Taking steps to prevent heart disease is important, but you also need to recognize the symptoms more common in women.

Shortness of breath

Nausea or vomiting

Sweating

Indigestion or gas-like pain

Discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades

Unexplained weakness or fatigue

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, or experience any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. Find out what you can do to lower your risk.

• Read the WHA Heart Healthy Educational Sheets (pdf file)
• Learn more about women and heart disease

Back to top