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Women and the Risk of Heart Disease
Surveys show fewer than one in 10 women perceive heart disease as their greatest health threat. But it's the nation's number one killer, and women are its prime target. One in 10 women between the age of 45 and 64 has some form of heart disease, and this statistic increases to one in four women after they turn 65. Why are women so unaware of their risk?
In many cases, it is a result of misdiagnosis. The symptoms of heart disease in women are different from those in men, which can make it more difficult to diagnose—and more difficult for a woman to recognize. Women's symptoms include angina (or chest pain), chronic breathlessness, chronic fatigue, dizziness, edema, rapid heartbeat and nausea. Men's symptoms include sudden pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and then comes back; pain that radiates from the center of the chest to the shoulders, neck or arms; chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath; and sudden onset of rapid heartbeats. Women are often treated for indigestion, while a man is often immediately treated for heart disease, at times more aggressively than a female patient.
Although both men and women are susceptible to heart disease, the reasons they develop it are different. Women typically have smaller hearts and narrower arteries than men do, so it takes less plaque to block a coronary artery and impair the flow of blood and oxygen to a woman's heart. Of course, besides heart size and the estrogen factor, each woman's risk for heart disease may be increased by other factors, including:
- Family history
- Obesity
- Where weight is carried (fat concentrated around the midsection poses a greater risk than fatty hips and thighs)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stress
But, heart disease doesn't happen overnight. Years of neglect can create silent damage, setting women up for a heart attack. That's why it's important to practice prevention. For healthy adults, here are ways to protect heart health:
- Stay active
- Eat a heart-healthy diet, low in fat and cholesterol
- Eat 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day
- Eat three servings of whole grains every day
- Limit daily salt and sodium intake
- Don't smoke
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Control stress
- Know the danger signs
You can learn more about recognizing and responding to cardiac emergencies in a course at your local American Red Cross chapter.
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