Heart disease in women: signs and symptoms

Heart disease in women: signs and symptoms

Heart disease isn’t just a guy thing – it’s a leading cause of death for both women and men in the US. And ladies, listen up: heart attack symptoms can be different for us. Even though heart issues have been linked more to men historically, they’re also a big cause of death for women. Knowing the specific signals and symptoms of heart problems in women is super important to catch them early and stay healthy.

Heart attack symptoms for women

The usual heart attack sign for both men and women is chest pain or pressure that lasts or comes and goes.

But for women, chest pain might not be super strong or noticeable. They often feel pressure or tightness. Believe it or not, a heart attack can happen without chest pain.

Women might get heart attack signals that aren’t about chest pain, like discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or upper belly. They could also feel short of breath, arm pain, nausea, sweating, dizziness, or extreme tiredness. Even heartburn could be a hint.

These symptoms may not manifest as the typical intense chest pain often associated with heart attacks. This could be attributed to the fact that women may experience problems not only in their major arteries but also in the smaller ones responsible for delivering blood to the heart.

Unlike guys, women often feel these symptoms when they’re resting or even asleep. Emotional stress can also kick-start heart attack symptoms in women.

Because the signs can be different, doctors might not always spot heart disease in women as much as they do in men. Women might have a heart attack with no major blockage in an artery, which is less common in men.

When should you see a doctor?

• If you’re feeling like you might be having a heart attack, don’t wait – call for emergency help right away.
• Avoid driving yourself to the ER if you can.

Heart disease risks for women

• Some common risks for heart disease, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity, affect both men and women.
• But there are other things that might matter more for women when it comes to heart disease.

Heart disease risks for women encompass:

Heart disease risks for women include:

●    Diabetes

Women with diabetes have a higher heart disease risk than diabetic men. Plus, diabetes can make women have silent heart attacks, which can happen without symptoms.

●    Emotional stress and depression

Stress and depression affect women’s hearts more. Depression can make it tough to stay healthy and follow treatments.

●    Smoking

Smoking is a bigger heart disease risk for women compared to men.

●    Inactivity

Not being active is a major risk for heart disease.

●    Menopause

After menopause, lower estrogen levels raise the risk of issues in smaller blood vessels.

●    Pregnancy problems

High blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy can lead to long-term heart risks. These issues also up the chance of heart disease.

●    Family history

Women might be more affected by a family history of early heart disease than men.

●    Inflammatory diseases

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can up heart disease risk for both women and men.

Ladies of all ages should take heart disease seriously. Those under 65, especially if heart disease runs in the family, should be extra careful about these risks.

Your Daily Routine & Home Remedies

Making healthy changes in your daily life can help cut down the risk of heart disease. Check out these heart-smart tips:

●    Quit smoking

If you’re not into smoking, great! Stay away from secondhand smoke too, as it can harm blood vessels.

●    Eat well

Go for whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Ditch the bad fats, sugars, and lots of salt.

●    Stay active and maintain a healthy weight

If you’re carrying extra weight, losing a bit can lower heart risks. Ask your healthcare provider for the right weight goal.

●    Handle stress

Stress can tighten your arteries and raise heart disease risk, especially small vessel disease. Move more, try mindfulness, and connect with support groups to chill out.

●    Limit alcohol

If you enjoy having a drink, do so in moderation, which means up to one drink a day for women and up to two for men.

●    Stick to your treatment plan

Take meds as your doc says, like blood pressure or blood thinners.

●    Manage other health stuff

If you’ve got high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, stay on top of them to lower heart disease risk.

Exercise & heart health

Regular physical activity is great for your heart. Aim for around 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, most days of the week. If that’s a lot, start slow and build up – even just five minutes a day is good for your health.

For a bigger boost, go for about 60 minutes of moderate to intense exercise a day, five times a week. Also, do strength training workouts a couple of times each week.

You can break up your exercise into short 10-minute sessions throughout the day – you’ll still get the same heart benefits.

Try interval training, where you do short bursts of intense activity followed by lighter activity. It’s great for keeping your weight in check and improving blood pressure. For example, mix some jogging or quick walking into your usual walks.

You can sneak in exercise during your daily stuff too:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Walk or bike to work or when running errands.
• March in place while watching TV.

Treating Heart Disease in Women

In general, treating heart disease is kind of similar for both women and men. It might involve medicines, procedures like angioplasty and stenting, or heart bypass surgery.

Here’s where things can be a bit different:

• Women might not get aspirin and statins as much as men to prevent future heart attacks, but both groups can benefit.
• Fewer women than men have coronary bypass surgery. It could be because women have different heart issues, like smaller arteries or more tiny vessel disease.
• Cardiac rehab can help recover from heart problems, but women might not get referred for it as often as men.

Remember, getting the right treatment matters no matter your gender.

Conclusion

Heart disease is a significant concern for women, and recognizing its unique signs and risk factors is crucial for timely intervention. By understanding the symptoms and taking proactive steps to maintain heart health, women can empower themselves to lead heart-healthy lives.

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