Women and Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one killer and disabler of American women and is estimated to claim the lives of one in every three women. In the United States, heart disease kills more women older than age 65 than all cancers combined. In fact, by age 65 a woman's risk for developing heart disease is almost as great as a man's. Women of all ages are up to six times more likely to die from a heart-related condition than from breast cancer.

Sixty-four percent of women who die from heart disease had no previous risk or diagnoses. Unfortunately, heart disease in women is often either misdiagnosed or diagnosed late in the process of the disease. Women are also less likely to survive heart attacks than men, for reasons still unknown. It may be that women receive treatment later than men. Or it may be because women typically have smaller hearts and blood vessels, which are more easily damaged. Someday, medical science may find answers to these questions. Clearly, the best course of action is to prevent a heart condition before it begins.

While there is no single cause of heart disease, there are several conditions and habits that increase your chances of developing a cardiovascular condition. The American Heart Association® has identified several risk factors associated with heart disease in women. Some of them can be modified, treated or controlled, and some cannot. Understanding these risk factors is an important step in preventing heart disease. The best approach to heart health is to minimize all of the risk factors as best you can, rather than focusing on just one.

Nonpreventable risk factors:

  • Increasing age - Four out of five people who die of heart disease are 65 or older. At older ages, women who have heart attacks are more likely than men to die.
  • Race - Blacks have more severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and a higher risk of heart disease.
  • Heredity - People with a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.

Since you cannot control your age, race and family history, it's even more important to treat and control any other risk factors you have.

Preventable risk factors:

These risk factors can be modified by changing your lifestyle or taking medication.

  • Smoking - Smokers develop coronary artery disease two to four time more often than nonsmokers. Individuals with heart disease who smoke are twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death compared to nonsmokers with heart disease. Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease even for nonsmokers.
  • High cholesterol - As cholesterol rises, so does the risk of heart disease.
  • High blood pressure - High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart, causing the heart to thicken and become stiffer. When high blood pressure is combined with obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases further.
  • Physical inactivity - An inactive lifestyle is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Physical activity can help control cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help to lower blood pressure.
  • Obesity and being overweight - People who have excess body fat - especially if the majority is stored around the waist - are more likely to develop heart disease even if they have no other risk factors. By losing even as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your heart disease risk.
  • Diabetes - Diabetes seriously increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
  • Stress - An individual's response to stress may be a contributing factor for heart disease.
  • Alcohol - Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause heart failure and lead to stroke. It can also contribute to high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, and produce irregular heartbeats.

Signs of Heart Disease in Women

According to the American Heart Association®, the signs of heart disease in women, include:

  • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the chest lasting more than a few minutes
  • Jaw pain radiating down to the neck and/or arm
  • Paleness
  • Indigestion/upper abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath with mild exertion
  • Chronic fatigue without reason
  • Racing or irregular heartbeat
  • Heart palpitations - either very strong or very fast
  • Unexplained perspiration/cold sweat
  • Lightheadedness, fainting or dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Lower back pain without apparent cause

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should talk with your physician.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Help

If you are having a heart attack, there are excellent treatments available that can save your life and prevent disability; however, treatment is most effective when initiated within an hour of the beginning of your symptoms. If you suspect that you are having a heart attack, seek emergency medical help immediately by calling 911.