Cardiac Issues In Women

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is a serious problem for both men and women, and you must stay alert and cautious. To keep your heart healthy some basic rules must be followed. And if you by any chance come across any such symptoms do consult your doctor immediately and start early treatment. When it comes to women’s heart health, heart disease accounts for a major cause of death; but only a few women realize this fact.

Research has shown that women don’t recover as well from cardiac arrest as men. They also have at least one risk factor for heart disease, though this fact remains unknown to most women. It is also revealed that in most cases, women do not get to know about the signals of a heart attack. For years, it is also thought hormone therapy would protect women from heart attacks. However, it has been revealed that hormone therapy actually increases the risk of heart attack and heart attacks can occur at any age, at any stage.

Though a man’s heart and a woman’s heart look the same there are slight differences which impact the risk factors for cardiac disease and vascular issues.

The arteries and the heart of a woman are smaller as compared to that of a man. As such, the arteries and vessels are more prone to blockages and blood clots. Furthermore, the plaque accumulation in arteries in men and women is different. For men, it’s often harder while in the case of a woman, this plaque deposit is softer and has a tendency to break free. This may trigger a heart attack.

 

Some other differences include:

1.A woman’s heart pumps faster than a man thereby sending an app. 10% less blood with every pump.

2.The walls that divide the heart’s interior chambers of women are quite thinner.

3.If a woman experiences stress, it increases her heart rate forcing her to pump out more blood.

 

Signs of heart problems in women:

The most common symptom of heart problems is chest pain, which may occur in both men and women. However, many women might experience different symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain or decreased exercise tolerance. Major signs of a heart attack in women include:

1.Back pain or pain between the shoulder blades

2.Indigestion, nausea or vomiting

3.Pain in the jaw or neck

4.Sharp pain in the upper part of the body

5.Dizziness or feeling lightheaded

6.Pale, clammy skin

7.Pressure or pain in the upper part of the stomach or lower chest area

8.Shortness of breath

 

Women also have some risk factors. Then only, you can set a goal and visit your doctor for consultation.

Major risk factors include:

1.High blood pressure

2.High blood cholesterol

3.Diabetes

4.Age

5.Excessive smoking

6.Being overweight

7.Hereditary problems

8.Less or No physical activities

 

There are also factors that could lead to increased risks, like:

1.Excessive stress & tension

2.Too much alcohol consumption

All these factors increase the risk of heart attacks. Women should be aware of their cholesterol levels. A high level of LDL (bad cholesterol) is dangerous because it clogs arteries, and a low level of HDL (good cholesterol) that clears arteries is good for the heart.

 

Tips to keep a woman’s heart at its best:

To keep the heart in the best of health the foremost thing is getting a regular check-up. Your doctor would keep an eye on important factors like blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other risk factors. If these are left untreated, any of these issues may trigger the chance of cardiac disorder or heart attack.

Moreover, smoking, following unhealthy lifestyles, late-night parties, eating unhealthy food, and consuming excessive alcohol may stimulate the chances of developing heart problems.  Again, if you have a family history of heart disease you may have a greater chance of developing heart problems, especially if your age is above 60 years. Age is another factor, so you should be always cautious and follow the advice of a doctor.

 

Some common tips to keep your heart healthy are:       

Eat a balanced and heart-healthy diet: Try to fill up your plate with lean proteins, whole grains, leafy vegetables, and fruits. Limit the consumption of salt. Try to cut down on sugar. Avoid food rich in fat, spicy and junk food.

Reduce stress: Chronic stress can augment the chances of heart disease. Try to live stress-free and be happy.

Manage health conditions: Try to stay on top of your conditions that may decrease the risk of developing heart disease. Follow medications as per the doctor’s advice.

Have plenty of sleep: Research revealed that you must get at least 8-9 hours of sleep. Anything less than that, say 6 or 7 hours may increase blood pressure and trigger the risk of heart disease.

Lifestyle changes: Certain lifestyle modifications can put you on the path to a healthy life such as

1.Keeping a healthy weight

2.Do physical exercise

3.Quit smoking & drinking

 

Conclusion

This blog will help you understand the causes, symptoms and treatment for cardiac problems in women.

God forbids it, but if someone close to you experiences heart disease or heart failure then what actions you should take promptly? Read this blog to get a fair idea to prevent heart failure. Supported by advanced technology, an experienced team of Interventional Cardiologist, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons including Coronary Care Units, Cardiac catheterization Laboratory our Cardiology & Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, our Cardiology Department meets the requirement of the ever-increasing need for cardiac care in the region.

 

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. It is requested to bring any such discrepancies to the notice of the blogger for correction.