Heart diseases most of the time are linked with men, but it is very common in women as well. Some heart disease symptoms in women can differ from those in men, and hence women often don't know what to look out for.
Consult the Best Cardiothoracic Surgery Hospital in Delhi, to be sure of your symptoms and avoid extreme conditions.
Heart attack symptoms for women
The most common heart attack symptom in women is the same as in men – some type of chest pain, pressure or discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes. Women often describe it as pressure or tightness. It is completely possible to have a heart attack without chest pain.
1.Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
2.Shortness of breath
3.Pain in one or both arms
4.Nausea or vomiting
5.Sweating
6.Lightheadedness or dizziness
7.Unusual fatigue
8.Indigestion
Women tend to have symptoms more often when resting, or even when asleep, than they do in men. Emotional stress can play a role in triggering heart attack symptoms in women.
Because women don't always recognize their symptoms as those of a heart attack, they tend to show up in emergency rooms after heart damage has occurred. Also, because their symptoms often differ from men's, women might be diagnosed less often with heart disease than men are.
If you have symptoms of a heart attack or think you're having one, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't drive yourself to the emergency room unless you have no other options.
Heart disease risk factors for women
Several traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease — such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity But other factors can play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women.
Heart disease risk factors for women include:
1.Diabetes. Women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease than are men with diabetes.
2.Mental stress and depression. Stress and depression affect women's hearts more than men's. Depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle .
3.Smoking. Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than it is in men.
4.Inactivity. A lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
5.Menopause. Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk of developing disease in smaller blood vessels.
6.Pregnancy complications. High blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy can increase the mother's long-term risk of high blood pressure and diabetes
7.Family history of early heart disease. This appears to be a greater risk factor in women than in men.
8.Inflammatory diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and others can increase the risk of heart disease in both men and women.
Is heart disease something only older women should worry about?
No. Women of all ages should take heart disease seriously. Women under age 65 — especially those with a family history of heart disease — also need to pay close attention to heart disease risk factors.
What can women do to reduce their risk of heart disease?
Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Try these heart-healthy strategies:
1.Quit smoking. If you don't smoke, don't start. Try to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, which also can damage blood vessels.
2.Exercise regularly. In general, everybody should do moderate exercise, such as walking at a brisk pace, on most days of the week.
3.Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what weight is best for you. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes.
4.Eat a healthy diet. Opt for whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats. Avoid saturated or trans fats, added sugars, and high amounts of salt.
5.Manage your stress. Stress can cause your arteries to tighten, which can increase your risk of heart disease, particularly coronary microvascular disease.
6.Limit alcohol. If you have more than one drink a day, cut back. One drink is approximately 12 ounces (360 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (150 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (45 milliliters) of distilled spirits, such as vodka or whiskey.
7.Follow your treatment plan.Take your medications as prescribed, such as blood pressure medications, blood thinners and aspirin.
8.Manage other health conditions. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of heart disease.
Exercise to reduce the risk of heart disease in women
For a bigger health boost, aim for about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day, five days a week. Also do strength training exercises two or more days a week.
You can also add exercise to your daily activities with these tips.
1.Take the stairs instead of an elevator.
2.Walk or ride your bike to work or to do errands.
3.March in place while watching television.
What's a healthy weight?
What's considered a healthy weight varies from person to person, but having a normal body mass index (BMI) is helpful. BMI is a measurement of body fat calculated from height and weight. A BMI of 25 or higher can be associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Is the treatment for heart disease in women different than in men?
Women are less likely to be prescribed statin therapy to prevent future heart attacks than are men. Angioplasty and stenting, commonly used treatments for heart attack, work for both men and women.
