“The heart is one of the strongest muscles in the body, but it is more vulnerable than you may realize”. Doctor Jennifer Mieres says. It’s an ignored fact that women are more likely to die of heart disease than men. Although many efforts have been made to raise awareness still almost 45 percent of the population is unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.
How to Prevent Heart Disease in Women:
For heart diseases, certain conditions affect women but don’t affect men, like pregnancy-related heart disease or conditions related to heart failure. There are a few symptoms that can let women evaluate their heart condition, these symptoms include:
Symptoms of a heart attack in women:
- Pressure or tightness in the center of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Unusual tiredness
- Neck or jaw tightness
- Unusual sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
Facts about women’s hearts:
Heart Disease is Not a Men’s Disease:
It seems possible to take heart disease as a man’s disease, as men are more likely to be overweight which is a major risk factor for developing heart disease. But the statistics for heart disease show a different result. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the USA. Only 56% of women are aware of the symptoms and recognize heart disease as a leading killer.
Women Are More Likely to be Misdiagnosed:
When it comes to heart attacks specifically, women usually receive misdiagnoses more than men. This happens largely because women mostly experience non-stereotypical symptoms, and don’t take their symptoms seriously, or attribute these symptoms to something else. For this reason, any woman experiencing jaw, neck, or back pain should take it as an alarm for a heart attack. Women should pay extra attention to any unusual or sudden-onset of symptoms.
Heart Disease Doesn’t Discriminate on Age:
Some conditions affect women differently than men. But age does not matter for prevailing heart conditions. Women 65 and above are more prone to developing heart problems. That’s why they are mostly recommended for regular checkups.
Women’s Hearts Are Smaller Than Men’s:
Women’s hearts are slightly smaller than men’s but because of this difference, a women’s heart beat slightly faster than a men’s on average. It differs from 4 to 10 heartbeats per minute depending on the individual.
Women’s Hearts are Adaptable:
Our hearts are dynamic. For example, in pregnancy women’s hearts beat faster, and the blood vessels are more dilated. Women usually experience lower blood pressure during pregnancy. During the post-partum period particularly the first two weeks following pregnancy, a woman’s heart rate and output will return to their previous function within a year.
Smoking Kills:
The problem caused by the consumption of tobacco is irreversible for both men and women. If you are a woman, you are 25% more likely to develop heart disease than men who smoke at the same intensity. But it is luckily preventable. By quitting early, women can dramatically decrease their fear of stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. After you completely quit smoking, here is what happens:
- In 20 minutes, your blood pressure gets back to normal.
- In another 8 hours, the amount of nicotine and carbon monoxide in your system decreases by half
- In 24 hours, you decrease your chances of having a heart attack
- In another 48 hours, your sense of taste returns.
This is just the beginning, as by quitting tobacco completely, you will greatly improve your health and, with time, eliminate the chances of getting heart failure.
Conclusion:
Heart disease is a serious health concern for women, and it’s important to prioritize heart health in your daily life. By making healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress, you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Additionally, being aware of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and being in constant contact with your health care provider at Heart Experts of Florida can help women take care of their heart health and ensure a safe future without any trouble.
