More women

More women die of heart attacks in Medway than anywhere else in Kent and, according to experts, it may be because many don’t realise they are suffering one.
A survey by the British Heart Foundation revealed that a third of women wouldn’t know they were having a heart attack because they would expect to experience crushing or severe chest pain.
However, that’s a symptom which mainly affects men. Women are more likely to experience a dull pain, ache or heavy feeling in the chest.
The BHF survey, released on 999 Day today - September 9 2009 -also shows that from 2007 to 2007, heart attacks claimed the lives of 159 Medway women. During the same period 189 men in Medway also died from the same cause.
The second highest death rate in the county during this period was Thanet, with 135 women and 160 men dying.
In Kent as a whole, heart attacks killed 1,137 women and 1,336 men.
A third die before reaching hospital which is often because they have waited too long to seek medical help which is why the BHF is reminding people to call 999 if they think they are having a heart attack.
Worryingly the survey also showed more than 35 per cent of women wouldn’t dial 999 if they were experiencing unusual chest pains for fear of being left red-faced if it turned out not to be serious.
Dr Mike Knapton, BHF associate medical director, said: “Every second counts when you are having a heart attack and calling 999 at the very first sign means you are much more likely to survive."
For more information about heart attack symptoms visit bhf.org.uk/999day