Women have less heart disease than men. But is heart disease a disease affecting only men? Not at all !! Women can also experience cardiovascular problems including heart attacks. Most often, women’s cardiovascular problems result in death. In Kerala, 40% of fatalities from coronary artery disease (CAD) happen before the age of 65 for women and 60 for men.
Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and stress at work are the main risk factors for heart disease in men. But in the changed era, along with men, women are also addicted to adverse lifestyles. The fact that more women are coming for treatment points to the proof.
Women are more concerned about their health now than ever before due to the rising danger of heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases are often diagnosed late in women due to lack of heart health screening. Therefore, serious heart problems are diagnosed later in women. Therefore, if a heart attack occurs in women, the chances of survival are less. Another reason is that the size of the heart and blood vessels are very reduced. Women who have once experienced a heart attack find it challenging to recover from one more. After surviving their initial attack, 43% of women over the age of 40 who have cardiovascular disease will experience another attack within five years.
Things to watch out for in heart care.
Factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, heredity, and age increase the risk of heart disease in women. Apart from this, menopause and excessive use of birth control pills increase the risk of heart disease in women.
The following things lead to heart disease:
High cholesterol level
The biggest risk factor for heart disease is having high blood cholesterol. Blood flow to the heart is restricted when too much cholesterol in the blood deposits on the walls of the arteries. According to studies, women over 55 are more likely than men to have high cholesterol levels. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol,” is the cause of heart disease. However, the good cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein) lowers the risk of heart disease
High blood pressure
One of the factors contributing to heart disease is hypertension or high blood pressure. Women who are pregnant, on particular birth control pills, who are overweight, have a family history of high blood pressure, or who are getting close to menopause are all at risk of developing high blood pressure.
Lack of exercise
Being active is the secret to good health. It is also good for heart health. People who do not exercise at all have the highest risk of heart disease compared to those who engage in physical activity. This is why overweight people have high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.
Diabetes
Heart disease is more likely in those with diabetes. Diabetes affects women more than men. The arteries narrow because of cholesterol deposits if blood sugar levels rise too high, increasing the risk of heart disease. In women with diabetes, menopause starts earlier, which can contribute to the condition.
Excessive anxiety
Women may experience stress and anxiety as a result of lifestyle changes. Consequently, it is believed that women who do work other than household works have a higher chance of developing heart disease. The risk of heart disease can rise tenfold with increased responsibility and stress at work. Additionally, high blood pressure might result from too much stress.
Heart diseases
There are different types of heart disease in both men and women. Among them, the main diseases are as follows:
Coronary artery disease
This occurs as a result of insufficient blood and oxygen delivery to the cardiac muscle. The lining of the arteries that provide blood to the heart has become thick with fat (cholesterol), which is the root cause of this. The arteries become thin as a result. Coronary artery disease may result in a heart attack or significant chest pain.
Valvular heart disease
If the heart valves are damaged, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body and is unable to do so adequately. The heart may stop suddenly as a result of this. Valve replacement can be curative in cases of early discovery
Congestive heart failure
When the heart cannot pump blood as quickly as it should, congestive heart failure (CHF) develops. Blood builds up in other body areas because the heart is unable to pump out the amount of blood that the body requires.
Heart attack symptoms
The signs of a heart attack in women differ significantly from those in men. But both men and women have some of the same symptoms.
Severe pressure or pain in the chest. Breathlessness, perspiration, arm, neck, and shoulder pain, a brief episode of unconsciousness or extreme exhaustion, gas-like discomfort, or indigestion.
Heart Health Checkup
An ECG, heart scan (Echo), and other blood tests can be used to determine the situation as it stands. Through dietary changes, exercise, and lifestyle modifications, heart health can be preserved.
Prepared By: Dr. Karella Naga Chaitanya, Senior Specialist – Cardiology, Aster MIMS, Calicut
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