Running on Empty: Heart Disease Risk in Women

Cardiovascular disease continuous to be the number one killer of women worldwide and ends the lives of many female every year. While heart disease as an illness might describe an obese middle-aged man who has smoked for thirty years and eats fast food daily, heart disease is equally a concern to women regardless of age and type. The difference which exists is not in the fact that women are more vulnerable to contracting heart disease, but the manifest symptoms and treatment accorded to them, and awareness of their risk status. This article will involve discussing about heart diseases especially in women about the signs, causes and ways to prevent this disease for better future.

This understanding of heart diseases in women is available by clicking on the link provided here Understanding Heart Disease in Women.

There are following types of heart diseases they include coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, and congenital heart diseases. Some of the risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking are in both sexes; but ovarian issues like pregnancy complications, menopause and hormonal fluctuations threaten women only.

They have unpredictable symptoms and are often misdiagnosed.

The greatest gender stereotype regarding heart disease is the kind of symptoms that women have. Unlike the classic "crushing chest pain" stereotypically associated with heart attacks, women are more likely to report less-specific symptoms like:

1. Shortness of breath

2. Chest pain or discomfort

3. Jaw, neck, or upper back pain
4. Some of the common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, indigestion,etc.

5. Flu-like symptoms

6. Dizziness or lightheadedness

The above symptoms can be easily dismissed or attributed to stress, anxiety or acid reflux; hence proper diagnosis is often not achieved early enough. Heart disease affects women in such a way that they experience severe and prolonged complications arising from this ILL diagnosis than men.

Hormonal Factors and the menopausal phase

It has come to pass that hormonal issues are vital in the incidences of heart diseases in women. Estrogen especially has been seen to reduce the risk of formation of plaques in the arterials. However, women are protected from developing the condition and its many complications after childbearing age especially after the onset of menopause due to decrease estrogen level in their bodies. Low levels of estrogen are thought to cause an increase in the risk of heart disease, especially for those who have heart disease in their genes.

Pregnancy Complication and future risk of disease.

Just like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, pregnancy complications put a woman at a risk of developing heart disease in her later stages in life. Also, women with post-Heart valve surgeries, or have Congenital heart diseases are at a higher risk of developing the complications.

Risk Factors and Prevention

While some of the risk factors for the development of heart disease are heritable, others can be changed, or their effects can be controlled. Women should be mindful of the following risk factors:

1. Smoking According to Horton and Jelinek

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Another way of reducing risk of heart disease is by stopping smoking.

2. High blood pressure and cholesterol:

Following the required diets, exercise regimes, and lots of prescription drugs to help manage high blood pressure and high cholesterols are essential.

3. Obesity:

Losing excess weight and having a proper BMI works a reduced amount of pressure on the heart.

4. Diabetes:

 In this concern it can dictate is possible to avoid heart diseases through the proper management of blood sugar as well as the monitoring of diabetes.

5. Inactivity: 

Exercise enhances the health of the heart muscles and also lowers the possibility of heart and blood illness.

6. Unhealthy diet:

 A heart healthy diet may contain foods like fruits and vegetables, gm whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.

7. Stress:

 Now for stress reduction the use of activities like yoga, meditation or even deep breathing may help.

Conclusion

Coronary heart disease is a multiform and frequently underestimated risk for women globally. The information about the pathopharmacological differences of the heart disease in women and their related symptoms allows the women to minimize their risks and enhance their cardiovascular health. Referred to the ‘silent killer’, heart disease is counteracted with awareness and public communication with healthcare providers. Much can be done together to make the future of all people in the world in all the countries better and healthier.