Know the Signs of Heart Disease in Women

Every February on Go Red for Women Day, people throughout the country wear red to inspire healthy lifestyle changes that can prevent heart disease and stroke in women. After all, even though it is the number 1 killer of women, 80 percent of heart disease is actually preventable. That is a lot of lives that can lived to the fullest with just a little knowledge and some concerted action.

Surprisingly, many women are unaware of the statistics around heart disease and even if they are, they think this is something that won’t happen to them. We’re breaking it down to help you better understand the risk factors of heart disease, how women’s symptoms differ from men’s, and positive steps you can start taking today to live heart healthy.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women

The fact is, everyone is at risk for heart disease, a general term that includes many types of heart problems, including heart attack and coronary artery disease (a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood). However, there are several factors that increase women’s risk:

• Menopause
• Family history of heart disease
• Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Use of hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or vaginal rings with estrogen and progesterone)
• Low HDL cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Overweight or obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Stress, anxiety and depression
• High alcohol consumption

It’s important to understand your personal risk for heart disease. Taking our Heart Risk Assessment can help. In just a few minutes you’ll have a better idea of topics you may need to discuss with your health-care provider.

Symptoms of Heart Disease and Attack in Women

When you think of a heart attack, you likely think of the classic symptoms of severe chest pressure and crushing pain. While this is often the case in men, it is not as common in women. Women’s heart attack symptoms tend to be subtle, may start slowly, and can stop and then come back. Symptoms may include:

• Heaviness or tightness in upper body
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Unusual fatigue or weakness
• Indigestion
• Flu-like symptoms

Bottom line: Any symptom that is new or unusual for you could be important and should never be ignored. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Women have more complications following a heart attack than men, specifically because they tend to ignore symptoms or delay getting care. Just as you would encourage family and friends to take care of themselves, do the same for you!

How to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Now that we’ve taken a look at the risk factors and symptoms of heart disease, it’s time explore proactive measures to lower your risk for heart attack and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

• Monitor your blood pressure. Often called the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease. It’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly and if it’s above the normal range, work with your health-care provider on lifestyle changes or in some cases, medications that can help.
• Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High levels of cholesterol can clog your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease. A cholesterol test is one of the health screenings most women should get every four to six years.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or having obesity can raise your risk for heart disease, mainly because these conditions are connected to other risk factors like high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Eat a healthy diet: Focus on fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and try to limit saturated fats, high-sodium foods and added sugars.
• Move more: Regular exercise has lots of benefits, including strengthening your heart and improving circulation.
• Limit alcohol: Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure and the added calories can contribute to weight gain—two factors for increased risk of heart disease. Women should have no more than one drink per day.
• Manage diabetes. Having diabetes doubles your risk for heart disease because high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. Talk to your provider about whether you should be tested for diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes you can take steps to prevent it from becoming diabetes. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep you blood glucose levels under control.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking (including second-hand smoke) raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you do smoke, there are many resources available that can help you quit nicotine.
• Manage stress: Stress is linked to heart disease since it raises blood pressure and can cause coping mechanisms like overeating, heavy drinking and smoking that are bad for your heart. Try strategies like exercise, meditation and listening to music to manage stress.

Remember, 80 percent of heart disease in women is preventable and you can have heart disease without symptoms. But by knowing your risk factors, making healthy lifestyle changes, and working with your health-care provider, you can help prevent potential problems.