Many women opt to take an “It won’t happen to me,” approach and fail to confront the real dangers of heart trouble. By doing this, you could be putting your life on the line. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women, reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Each year, 1 in 3 female deaths can be attributed to this disease. To reduce the likelihood that you end up part of this statistic, heed the warning signs of heart trouble.

Chest Pressure

For many women, one noticeable sign of heart disease is chest pressure, reports the American Heart Association (AHA). If you experience pressure in the center of your chest that fails to dissipate after several minutes, or if this pain seems to lighten then return, you should call 911 as you may be experiencing a heart-related episode.

Numbness in Extremities

A sudden and unexplainable numbness in the extremities is a classic sign of stroke. If you notice that your face, arm or leg has numbed, seek medical attention. This sign is particularly telling if it occurs only in one side of your body, as strokes generally only effect one body half.

Sweating

Sudden and unexplained sweating may be a sign of heart trouble, reports MayoClinic.com. While sweating is a natural body response to excessive heat or strain, sweating for no reason is likely the sign of an issue. If you notice that the degree to which you sweat is increasing, you should mention this to your doctor as it could be an indication of a problem.

Confusion

The AHA reports that confusion commonly accompanies stroke. If you suddenly find yourself out of sorts or unable to get your bearings, ask someone around you to assist you and call for medical help. Even if this symptom proves not to be heart-related, it is still likely the result of some medical issue.

Blurred Vision

Sudden blurred vision is commonly indicative of a heart-related issue. This problem commonly comes on suddenly and can occur in one or both eyes. Because this symptom is commonly characteristic of a stroke, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience this symptom.

Unexplained Fatigue

MayoClinic.com reports that, in many women, heart problems manifest themselves in the form of sudden and unexplained fatigue. If you notice that you are suddenly more exhausted than you once were, mention this symptom to your physician so he can explore potential causes of your fatigue.