Heart Disease in Women: #1 Cause of Death in the USA
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A common misconception about heart disease is that it mostly affects men. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease is the most common cause of death for BOTH women and men in the United States of America. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) states that 1 in 4 women die from heart disease and coronary heart disease (CHD) is the #1 killer for both men and women in the USA. Heart disease symptoms in women may be different from men. Women can reduce their risk of heart disease by understanding some of the symptoms that may present differently than in men.
Most women will experience pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest but this is not always the most severe symptom. Sometimes, women may experience a heart attack without chest pain and are more likely than men to have symptoms that are not related to chest pain. Instead of the crushing chest pain commonly associated with heart attacks, women may experience chest pressure or tightness. Women tend to have blockages in both main arteries and smaller arteries, a condition known as coronary microvascular disease. Symptoms include:
Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
Shortness of breath
Pain in one or both arms
Nausea or vomiting
Sweating
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Unusual fatigue
Women’s symptoms are more likely to occur when they are resting or are even asleep. Mental stress may also be a heart attack trigger. Unfortunately, many women tend to show up to Emergency Rooms after heart damage because their symptoms are not usually associated with heart attacks. Women off ALL ages should take heart disease seriously, especially those with a history of heart disease. Several lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of a heart attack. Please seek emergency medical help immediately if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. For more information, please visit the following link to the American Heart Association: Heart Attack Symptoms in Women:
References
Mayo Clinic (2016). Heart disease in women: Understand symptoms and risk factors. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). (2014). How Does Heart Disease Affect Women? Retrieved from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw