Heart attacks in women are often missed because the signs and symptoms can differ from those seen in men, the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has warned.

According to the foundation, while many people picture someone clutching their chest when suffering a heart attack, this may not be a typical scenario when it comes to women.

"It can be very hard to diagnose and that's why heart disease and heart attack is often missed in women," Dr Brown noted.

She explained that symptoms in women can be quite vague, such as tiredness, nausea, shortness of breath, back pain and tightness in the jaw. These can be more common than the ‘more familiar scenario of a crushing pain in the chest that shoots down the arm'.

The IHF is encouraging women who are experiencing these symptoms to call 999 for an ambulance. Irish research has shown that one of the reasons many women die from heart attack is because they delay going to the Emergency Department.

Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attack and stroke, is one of the biggest killers of women in Ireland, however IHF research suggests that most women are unaware of this fact.

"Most women think they are going to die from breast cancer, when in fact they are six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease," Dr Brown pointed out.

The foundation is calling on people to get familiar with the symptoms of heart attack in women. While not all of these symptoms may be present at the same time, even if some are present, or you think you are having a heart attack, dial 999:

-Chest discomfort - squeezing, uncomfortable pressure or pain in the centre of the chest, that lasts for more than a few minutes
-Indigestion or gas-like pain, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and collapse
-Discomfort and/or pain spreading to other areas of the upper body such as the shoulders, neck, jaw or upper arms
-Shortness of breath, unexplained weakness, particularly in the left arm, or fatigue, anxiety or unusual nervousness.

Anyone with concerns about heart health can call the National Heart and Stroke Nurse Helpline on 1800 25 25 50, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (open Thursday until 7pm).