Women and Heart Disease

It’s just a little indigestion; it can’t be a heart attack!

 The most common cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women is heart disease.

In fact, according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Despite these statistics, many women don’t recognize symptoms and, consequently, do not seek immediate treatment for a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction.

The most common symptom for both men and women during a heart attack is chest pain or pressure. However, women often experience more subtle symptoms, with or without chest pain, such as extreme fatigue, dizziness, neck or jaw pain, upper abdominal pain or pressure, or shortness of breath.

Because the symptoms are frequently attributed to other causes by both women and healthcare professionals, vital time is lost in diagnosing and treating a heart attack.

Women share many of the same risk factors for heart disease as men like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high LDL cholesterol, family history and excess weight.

Additionally, women may have additional risk factors:

• Hypertension during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia)

• Gestational diabetes

• Hormonal birth control

• Polycystic ovary disease

In addition, the onset of menopause increases a woman’s risk of a heart attack.

The good news is that according to the American Heart Association, 80% of cardiovascular events in everyone can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, staying active, and quitting smoking.

 Stay vigilant, modify risk factors as much as you can, watch for the subtle warning signs of a heart attack, and seek treatment immediately.

 For more information on heart disease in women go to https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/