Women’s Heart Health

What Should Women Know About Heart Health?

Statistics show that heart disease is responsible for the death of 1 in 4 women. Here are two additional statistics to highlight the need for women to seek routine preventive heart care:

• 6%-8% of all women have coronary artery disease
• 64% of women who die suddenly from coronary artery disease had no previous symptoms

Like other chronic health conditions, cardiovascular disease develops gradually over many years without causing symptoms. Then one day, the first sign of a problem may be a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or stroke.

What Symptoms Indicate a Heart Attack in Women?

When women have a heart attack, they usually don’t develop the sudden, severe, chest pain experienced by men. Women are more likely to have generic symptoms like heartburn, an aching jaw, or an upset stomach. As a result, they often don’t realize the problem is with their heart and they ignore the problem.

Women’s heart attack symptoms include:

• Angina (dull, heavy, or sharp pain or discomfort in your chest)
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back
• Indigestion, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting
• Extreme fatigue
• Upper body discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (fluttering feeling in your chest)
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen

Since cardiovascular diseases often increase your risk of stroke, it’s also important to know that women have the same stroke symptoms as men: sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face or body, confusion, vision changes, dizziness, or a sudden, severe headache.

Can Women Lower Their Risk for Heart Disease?

Many of the underlying causes of heart disease can be changed to lower your risk. When you come to Phoenix Heart for an examination, your doctor evaluates your risk factors and develops a customized plan to help protect your heart and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Your doctor offers support for changing risk factors such as:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Chronic stress and anxiety

For women who are healthy and at a normal risk for heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends the following screenings:

• Blood pressure every two years
• Cholesterol levels every 4-6 years
• Blood glucose at least every three years

You may need more frequent screenings if you’re at a higher risk for cardiovascular problems.

To learn about your risk factors and to receive a complete evaluation of your cardiovascular health, call Phoenix Heart or book an appointment online.