Women who have chest pain risk serious complications linked with heart disease. Women who have chest pain but no evidence of clogged arteries are four times more at risk for heart related problems than women showing no symptoms. "And the reasons they may be having chest pains are due to underlying problems such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, smoking and it may actually affect the smaller arteries you may not see on the cardiac catheterization," says Cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Cosmai-Cintron. Dr. Cintron also says women may be unaware of these underlying medical problems.

Patient Debbie Brewer had continuous chest pain for weeks until she decided she needed an answer. "I had minimal blockage from the stomach artery going to the heart; very minimal other than that, that was it."

Oftentimes women who experience chest pain or reduced blood flow to the heart confuse it with heartburn. Dr. Cintron wants these women to be aware of the signs of a heart attack and know how to aggressively avoid these symptoms. "If you treat them aggressively for their underlying medical problems which include trying to make them stop smoking, trying to treat their obesity, their blood pressure, trying to treat their diabetes. Those women are going to benefit over the long term."

Debbie has already started making lifestyle changes and here's her advice for those who are unaware of their serious risks. "It is a silent killer so you need to have it checked out."

Getting the issue checked out may prevent you from getting checked in to the hospital. Researchers are continuously seeking ways to predict and prevent heart disease which according to the American Heart Association kills nearly half a million women each year.