Women & Heart disease

How Does Heart Disease Differ in Women?

Women may not realize the signs & symptoms of cardiovascular/heart disease differ than men, that some cardiovascular diseases are more common in women, or how being a women including menstruation, pregnancy & menopause impact their heart health.

Women may ignore the signs of heart disease or heart attack, seeing the symptoms as due to anxiety, stress, or something like acid reflux.1

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the US, and younger women are experiencing heart attacks.2

Know your risk factors as a woman, these are just some to look out for:

High blood pressure – high blood pressure may result from taking birth control pills, or during pregnancy, or result with age. Speak with your health care provider about your concerns.

High cholesterol – especially high LDL “bad” cholesterol. Estrogen may protect women from unhealthy cholesterol, but as we age, estrogen falls & high cholesterol may occur.

Smoking – studies show women may have a harder time quitting than men – seek advice from your health care provider to quit if you smoke.

Know the symptoms of a HEART ATTACK & CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY:

•       Shortness of breath

•      Pain or discomfort/uneasy feeling in different parts of the body like the back, neck, jaw, arms or stomach

•       Nausea & vomiting

•       Tiredness/fatigue

•       Lightheadedness

•       Cold sweats

Seek help immediately – call 911

References:

1.    https://globalhearthub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Women-and-Heart- booklet_Draft_03_090924_e-copy.pdf

2.    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/heart-attack/heart- attacks-striking-younger-women