December 8, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) -- A new study finds that women who suffer a
massive heart attack are more likely to die than men.

When under a hospital's care, the study says the women survive
heart attacks about as well as men. But it finds a gender gap when
women have the most serious type of heart attack.

It also say women get less of the recommended medicines and
procedures than men, or end up waiting longer to get them. The
study's lead author says: "We're doing better but not good enough
for women."

One cardiologist who specializes in women's care says the study
suggests that women's heart attack symptoms still are not being
taken seriously. She says some women don't have typical symptoms
like chest pains, but may have pain lower in their bodies or severe
shortness of breath.

The research was funded by the American Heart Association and
the findings are reported in the group's medical journal,
Circulation.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)