Heart Disease in Women
The term heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions.
Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a man’s disease, almost as many women as men die each year of heart.
Despite increases in awareness over the past decades, only about half (56%) of women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer.
Learn more facts about women and heart disease:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women
- About 1 in 30 Asian women age 20 and older have coronary heart disease,
Although some women have no symptoms, others may have
- Angina (dull and heavy or sharp chest pain or discomfort)
- Pain in the neck, jaw, or throat
- Pain in the upper abdomen or back
These symptoms may happen when you are resting or when you are doing regular daily activities. Women also may have other symptoms, including5
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until you have other symptoms or emergencies, including
- Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
- Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
- Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins
High blood pressure, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including
- Diabetes
- Having overweight or obesity
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
To lower your chances of getting heart disease, it’s important to do the following:-
- Know your blood pressure. Having uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to heart disease. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
- Talk to your doctor or health care team about whether you should be tested for diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes raises your risk of heart disease.
- Quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start
- Discuss checking your blood cholesterol and triglycerides with your doctor.
- Make healthy food choices. Having overweight or obese raises your risk of heart disease.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink to one drink a day.
- Manage stress levels by finding healthy ways to cope with stress.
(Disclaimer: Brand Desk Content)