Women and Heart Disease

Women & Heart Disease

Women have a one out of two chance of dying of heart disease or stroke and cardiovascular disease affects more women than men. Heart attacks are more severe for women, and women are more likely to die because they do not recognize or respond to the symptoms.

Risks

The top five risk factors for heart disease in women are:

• Family history
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Other risk factors for women include:

• Metabolic syndrome — a combination of fat around your abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high triglycerides
• Mental stress and depression
• Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels

Know the Symptoms and Dial 911

It is important to call 911 if you have any of symptoms associated with a heart attack to minimize the risks associated with a heart attack. Women’s symptoms may be different than men’s. Each woman’s symptoms may be different. Some women show no symptoms, others experience several symptoms while others show all symptoms. The sooner the symptoms are recognized and appropriate action is taken, the better.

By avoiding heart attacks and recognizing the symptoms early, patients can reduce their risk of heart muscle damage. Many times women have atypical symptoms. Instead of the typical chest pain, symptoms can be:

• Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
• Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms.
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially with exertion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Women may also have crushing chest pain. However, many women mistakenly think only crushing chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack and, therefore, delay seeking medical care. Others have found that health care providers have failed to recognize their heart attack symptoms by attributing the cause of symptoms to other health problems, such as indigestion. It is important that if you think you are having symptoms of a heart attack insist that the emergency medical team administer an electrocardiogram (EKG) test or an enzyme blood test to see if you are having a heart attack. Speak up - it's your heart and your life!

Don’t ever ignore a heart attack symptom because the longer you wait to get help, the greater the chance your heart will be permanently damaged.

Remember know the symptoms – Dial 911

If you experience these symptoms do not drive yourself to the hospital or allow someone to drive you. Call 911. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can start treating you upon arrival in communication with an Emergency Department physician. While waiting for EMS:

• STOP what you are doing
• Sit or lie down
• Stay calm
• Crush or chew a full-strength aspirin (swallow with a glass of water) to prevent further blood clotting

It is important to have a list of all the medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins and supplements you take.

Risks can be reduced

Women can reduce their risk by leading a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, exercising and avoiding smoking can dramatically reduce their risk. If they have high blood pressure, lowering their blood pressure and controlling their cholesterol can dramatically reduce their risk.

What You Can Do

Take the opportunity to learn all you can about heart disease and its devastating effects on women. Together, we can change the statistics.

Don’t Delay

Many women delay getting medical care for heart attacks for several reasons:

• They don't know the heart attack warning signs and symptoms
• They falsely believe that women don’t have heart attacks
• They are pre-occupied with family responsibilities
• They can't get childcare or transportation
• They don't want to impose their needs on others
• They may be depressed

Don't become a heart attack statistic - learn all you can about heart attack warning signs and symptoms. If you are having symptoms, call 911, take an aspirin to prevent further blood clotting, and demand that the emergency room staff take your complaints seriously. Make sure the doctor gives you an EKG and/or blood enzyme test to see if you are having a heart attack.