Women and Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in women in United States surpassing breast cancer and all other cancers. It is the mission of the American Heart Association to bring awareness to women to understand their risk of developing heart disease and to watch for symptoms of heart disease which manifest themselves differently than in men.

Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain but it can feel as pressure, squeezing, fullness and burning sensation. It is important that women know that discomfort in other areas of the body such as shoulder, jaw, neck, upper back and stomach may also represent warning signs of an impending heart attack. Most women do not realize that shortness of breath particularly on exertion can also indicate presence of heart disease. Other symptoms include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness or unusual fatigue. If a woman experiences any of these symptoms particularly with activities or emotional stress, she should be sure to discuss this with her personal healthcare provider.

Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history, family history of stroke or heart disease in a first degree relative, sedentary state, obesity, and stress. A recent study revealed that women in high stress jobs have an increased likelihood of developing heart disease. Women who smoke are not only at increased risk of heart attacks, but also stroke and development of peripheral vascular disease. The risk of a diabetic woman to develop heart disease is at least twice as much as a diabetic man.

Early detection and prevention are key factors for both men and women but particularly women since women are generally at higher risk for complications after they have already suffered a heart attack. So if you are a woman with one or more above risk factors and/or experiencing any of the above symptoms, be sure to discuss your concerns with your personal physician, pursue appropriate noninvasive testing as recommended by your physician, be sure to follow healthy diet high in fiber, low in simple sugars, high in fruits and vegetables and consider initiation of low to moderate intensity exercise program. However, it is important to note that if you have not been exercising, you should check with your healthcare provider first before starting an exercise program.