Heart Disease in Women

December 13, 2022

Heart disease affects women of all ages and races and is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. However, most women are unaware of the risks of developing this disease and the conditions predisposing them to it.

What is a Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a broad term that describes a condition affecting the heart. It is also called cardiovascular disease, which means heart and blood vessel disease.

Cardiovascular system differences in men and women

Researchers have discovered significant anatomic differences between men and women that affect the development of heart disease.

Blood vessels. Women’s blood vessels tend to be smaller in diameter. Their heart chambers are also smaller, with thinner ventricles.

Blood count. Women have lesser red blood cells, which results in a lower amount of oxygen being taken.

Adaptations. Changes in body position or altitude affect women more than men. This results in a sudden drop in blood pressure in women when standing up or lying down.

Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone play a vital role in reducing the bad cholesterol in the blood.

Factors that predispose a woman to heart disease

Several risk factors, such as high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and obesity, predispose both men and women to develop cardiovascular disease equally. But some factors play a bigger role in women developing heart disease.

Diabetes. Women with diabetes are at higher risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease than men with diabetes.

Emotional Stress and Depression. Women are twice as likely to develop stress and depression, which puts them at risk of heart disease later.

Smoking. Women who smoke have a higher possibility of getting heart disease than men.

Menopause. Low estrogen levels after menopause put a woman at risk for developing conditions in the smaller blood vessels.

Complications during pregnancy. A mother suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy is more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes later in life. These diseases can also put the woman at risk for heart disease.

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

The most common symptom of heart disease is a pain in the chest (angina). This chest pain can be described as:

Heaviness
General discomfort
Pressure
Tightness
Burning
Fullness
Tingling
Squeezing

Women are also more like to have atypical symptoms of heart disease, such as:

Shortness of breath
Extreme weakness
Unusual fatigue
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Nausea
Faster heartbeat
Cold and clammy skin

How to reduce the risks of developing heart disease in women

A healthy lifestyle is an ultimate key to avoiding this dreadful condition. A healthy lifestyle includes:

Quitting smoking. Nicotine has negative effects on the blood vessels. Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, or gradually stop smoking.
Eating a healthy diet. A whole grain, low sodium, low cholesterol, high fiber diet is preferable to maintaining a healthy heart. Avoid saturated fats, high sugar, and high amounts of salt.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight put any person at higher risk for heart disease. Keep weight at the desirable BMI.
Regular exercise. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. Maintain at least 30 minutes to one hour of aerobic exercises.
Proper management of stress. Stress causes the arteries to tighten and increases the likelihood of progressing to a heart attack. Discover personal ways to cope with stress, such as mindfulness, biofeedback, adequate sleep, etc.
Limiting alcohol intake. The desired alcohol intake for women is one drink a day or less.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center and Heart Disease in Women

Women are at a higher risk for heart disease, and sadly, they often don't even know it. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with heart disease, it is important to seek help right away.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center provides screenings and other services to women in the area to help in the detection and treatment of heart conditions. If you're concerned about your heart health or that of a loved one, please visit and schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://medlineplus.gov/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/