The researchers in the United States have divulged that most women confuse the symptoms of a heart attack with fatigue, indigestion, stress or over exertion and are, therefore, unable to get timely help.

Yes, the researchers, involved in the study presented at the American Heart Association's Ninth Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR) in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, have found that after studying 30 women, averaging 48 years, who had suffered a heart attack

The researchers conducted in-depth phone interviews with the women within seven days of their discharge from hospital between October 2006 and May 2007. They allowed them to recount their experiences in great detail, including symptoms, initial actions (or lack of action) and reasons for not seeking prompt care.

The lead author of the study and associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., Judith Lichtman, Ph.D. said, "We found that most failed to connect their symptoms with a heart condition, commonly attributing them to fatigue, indigestion, stress or over-exertion."

"The stories they told were incredibly rich in detail. We learned that many of these women had no idea that they were at risk for heart disease," Lichtman said.

Lichtman said, "Young women represent less than five percent of all heart patients in the US, but that statistically translates into 16,000 deaths and about 40,000 hospitalisations annually - a number that rivals breast cancer in this age group."