Women and Heart Disease
For many people, it is common knowledge that
heart disease is the leading cause of death among
men. But did you know that it is the leading
cause of death among women, too?
According to the National Coalition for Women
with Heart Disease, approximately 267,000 women
die each year from heart attacks. Most people
think breast cancer is the number one killer
among women, but in reality, heart attacks kill
six times as many women than breast cancer.
Surprisingly, two-thirds of women who die of
a heart attack have no prior symptoms. If they
do have symptoms, many times doctors, and often
patients themselves, disregard the symptoms as
serious until it's too late. By knowing how this
disease affects women and having an early evaluation,
you may be able to prevent heart disease from
becoming a factor in your life.
What Causes Heart Disease?
Heart disease affects your heart's blood vessels and muscles, causing them
to function improperly. Below are some of the most common causes:
- Coronary artery disease -the arteries become
narrow from plaque build-up, preventing the
heart from getting an adequate blood supply
and pumping properly.
- Hypertension- which causes the heart to
work harder. Just like muscles are enlarged
by lifting weights, when the heart muscle is
pushed to work hard, it gets bigger. This makes
it extremely difficult for the heart to relax
and receive blood.
- Heart valve disease- leaky (regurgitant)
or sticky (stenotic) valves affect the flow
of blood throughout the heart.
- Cardiomyopathies, or diseases that affect
the heart muscle-may leave the heart weak and
unable to meet the demands of the body.
- Infection of the heart muscle or heart valves.
Risk Factors
You may be at risk for heart disease if you:
- Smoke
- Have diabetes
- Do not exercise
- Are overweight
Or if you have:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A family history of heart problems
What are the Symptoms?
In some cases, heart disease can be prevented. Early diagnosis is extremely
important. Although you may not have symptoms, you may still have heart disease.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, this could be a sign of
heart disease
- Discomfort, fullness, tightness, squeezing
or pressure in the center of your chest that
comes and goes, or stays for more than a few
minutes
- Pressure or pain spreading to the upper
back, shoulders, neck, jaw or arms.
- Dizziness or nausea
- Clammy sweats, paleness or heart flutters
- Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue
or weakness (especially during physical exertion)
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
Listen to Your Body
It is important to listen to your body. Many women ignore their symptoms and
pass them off as other conditions. However, it is important that you take
your symptoms seriously.
Talk to your physician about risk factors and
what you can do to prevent heart disease. If
you experience any of the symptoms above, talk
to your doctor and insist that they give you
a thorough evaluation.
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