As late as the 1980s, the American Heart Association largely considered heart disease a man’s disease. We now know that women face a significant risk for heart attack and stroke. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S.
Obesity, lifestyle choices and hormone changes after menopause are common reasons for this troubling fact. But two factors that make heart disease so deadly for women might surprise you:
Women are more likely to have undiagnosed or untreated health conditions.
Heart disease in women often occurs in smaller arteries, making it harder to catch.
Additionally, heart attack signs in women can be markedly different from men. We’ll explore those differences, but first let’s look at your risk and what you can do to lower it.
Are you at risk?
Even if you feel perfectly healthy now, knowing your risk for developing heart disease is the first big step toward avoiding it.
The most common risk factors include:
High blood pressure
High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
Smoking
Diabetes
Excess weight
An unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Drinking too much alcohol
Stress
Depression
A family history of heart disease
Additionally, women are at higher risk during pregnancy and after menopause.
Can you lower your risk?
Yes! Here are six things you can do right now:
Talk to your doctor. They can help identify your specific risks and work with you to develop a plan for addressing them. They can test your cholesterol levels, monitor your blood sugar and look for diabetes or pre-diabetes symptoms. If you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor can partner with you to monitor your health so you can recognize symptoms early (see heart attack symptoms in women below).
Stop smoking. If you’re a smoker, you know that’s much easier said than done. For your best chance of success, take advantage of resources that can support you through the journey.
Get your heart rate up. Your heart is a muscle that needs to be exercised to stay in shape. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Walk, jog, bike, dance, skip, swim, row — do whatever you enjoy that gets your body moving.
Eat a healthy diet. Give your heart its best chance to stay healthy by eating well and limiting your alcohol intake. Eat less saturated fat and sodium and more fiber. And don’t forget to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Reduce stress. Research has shown that stress can contribute to the likelihood of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. That’s especially true for women, so keeping it in check is important. Meditate, practice mindfulness, take long walks, practice breathing exercises, join a support group or seek counseling. The important thing is to recognize stress and address it.
Manage chronic conditions. Long-term inflammation caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can damage heart and blood vessels.
What are heart attack symptoms in women?
Thanks to decades of public awareness campaigns and health initiatives, most women understand the importance of knowing how their breast tissue feels. That way, they’ll notice if there’s a change. The same is true for heart health. Being aware of your body — what it feels like today — can help you recognize when something is wrong.
When a heart attack strikes, every minute counts. So, knowing the symptoms and acting on them can quite literally save your life.
While men are more likely to experience symptoms of sharp, crushing chest and left arm pain, women who are having a heart attack can present with a variety of symptoms. And some women don’t feel chest pain at all. Women’s symptoms can include:
A dull or heavy chest discomfort or ache
Pain in the upper abdomen, back or between the shoulder blades
Fluttering feelings in your chest (palpitations)
Pain in the neck, jaw or throat
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Vomiting
Tiredness that won’t go away or feels excessive
Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen
When should you call 9-1-1?
Research has shown that women are more likely than men to delay seeking help for a heart attack. Not recognizing the signs can cause a delay that negatively impacts your health outcome.
If you have heart attack symptoms — or if you believe you might be experiencing a heart attack without any symptoms — call 9-1-1 right away.
Remember, every minute counts.
Online resources
Still have questions? There’s lots of reliable information online, including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women website at goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts. You can learn about heart disease myths, silent heart attacks, sex and heart disease, and more.
Other good information sources include:
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: nhlbi.nih.gov/education/heart-truth/listen-to-your-heart
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html
National Library of Medicine: medlineplus.gov/heartdiseaseinwomen.html
Ready to increase your heart smarts?
Visit an MNPS Health Care Centers location to start the conversation about your risks and what you can do to make sure you are heart healthy.
Make an appointment by calling 615-259-8755 or visiting MNPSHealth.org/schedule.
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