Heart Disease
Women need to pay extra attention
Courtesy Texoma Medical Center, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease kills more women than the next three causes of death combined. One explanation for this disturbing trend is that a woman’s symptoms, often different and more subtle than a man’s, are harder to identify.
Warning signs for women can be mistaken for other conditions
Many women never have chest pains before a heart attack. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), women often experience physical symptoms as long as a month or more before a heart attack. Most commonly reported: unusual fatigue, sleep disturbance, shortness of breath, indigestion or anxiety. Frequently, women dismiss these physical occurrences as minor annoyances.
Too many women don’t see heart attacks coming. Learn possible signs because the faster you get medical attention, the better your chances of survival and recovery are.
Symptoms of possible heart attack for women
The most common sign of a possible heart attack in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe. And it’s often not the most prominent symptom, which may include:
- Unusual fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
- Sudden nervousness or anxiety, or a sense of unease
- Chest discomfort
- Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
If you, or someone you’re with, has any of these symptoms, dial 911 immediately.
Because women tend to have blockages not only in the main arteries, but also in the smaller arteries, these symptoms can seem mild. Of three coronary arteries, if even one is blocked, it can prove fatal without immediate medical intervention. Increasingly, heart disease is due to a build-up of plaque (fat deposits) in arteries that, over time, can damage artery walls (atherosclerosis).
There’s a lot you can do to help prevent heart disease
There are genetic pre-dispositions you can’t change. Some factors can be assisted through medications. But there are things you can do to lower your risk for heart disease.
- Eat right and exercise. Once you start, it’s not difficult to adopt a healthy lifestyle. But, before you embark on any course of action, talk with your cardiologist.
- Avoid being overweight. Develop a nutritious, heart-healthy meal and snack plan. Balance and moderation are key. Incorporate fruits, dark green vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein into your diet. Ask your cardiologist or a nutritionist. Reducing your weight by as little as 10% can go a long way toward preventing heart disease.
- No trans fats. (Read labels carefully!)
- Incorporate physical activity into your life. Take a walk. Use the stairs. Dance (the living room is fine). Talk with your cardiologist about a workout plan, start slowly and gradually move to 60 minutes every day.
- Don’t smoke. Period.
- Track your blood sugar. Check it often. And if you have diabetes, keep to your meal, snack, monitoring and medication schedule.
- Check your blood pressure regularly and decrease stress through reading, music, conversation, etc. Release anger and angst. Laughter can do wonders for your wellbeing.
- Vitamins and antioxidants. If you’re not getting enough from food you eat, try supplements. Consult your cardiologist and nutritionist.
Lowering your risk for heart disease is a decision.
You’re never too old (nor too young) to take control. The biggest surprise is that when your body works well, you just may find you feel happier. Lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, less weight, better blood flow, more oxygen in your lungs––these things can improve your mood, self-esteem, physical function and energy level.
If you don’t have a cardiologist, referrals are free from Direct DoctorsSM Plus at 903.416.DOCS (3627).
