The hearts of women are weaker than men

42,000 men and 28,000 women in Britain die from heart disease

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women are at higher risk for heart attack and premature death than men, according to a new study in the UK.

Researchers from the University of Leeds and the British Heart Foundation say women are deprived of "life-saving treatment" so they have a great chance of heart attacks.

About 42,000 men and 28,000 women die from heart disease in Britain each year, and most of the deaths are linked to heart attacks.

However, the new study found that three times the expected number of women died of heart attack, compared to men.

"We need to work hard to transform the perception that heart attacks affect only a certain type of person," said Professor Chris Gill, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Leeds.

"Usually, when we think of a heart attack patient, we say it's a middle-aged man who's overweight, diabetic or smoking, that's not always the case."

"Heart attacks affect the broad spectrum of people, including women."