What Do We Know About Heart Diseases in Women?

Like men, women are also at risk of heart disease. In the USA, 60 million women suffer from some sort of heart complication. These complications can go unnoticed for a long time because of the overlapping symptoms with other diseases. This is why women must get their heart health checked regularly. This will help in diagnosing a heart-related disease early in time.

Several diseases are related to the heart. The causes behind these diseases may include family history, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle. There are a whole lot of medications and surgical procedures that can help you combat these diseases. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms of heart disease in women, the most common risk factors, and the types of heart diseases in women.

Symptoms of Heart Diseases in Women 

The most common symptoms of heart disease overlap with many other diseases. These symptoms include:

• Pain in various parts of the body like the upper jaw, neck, upper abdomen, and back
• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Excessive restlessness and tiredness

These symptoms may differ in each woman, as many underlying conditions regarding heart diseases are at play. These symptoms may be normally more frequent in women over 40. At this stage, women should regularly visit a doctor and keep their health in check. 

Risk Factors of Heart Diseases in Women 

The most common risk factors for heart disease in women include:

• Chronic hypertension 
• High cholesterol 
• High body mass index (BMI)
• Smoking 
• Diabetes
• Physical inactivity 
• Depression 
• Stress
• High alcohol consumption 
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome 

Common Heart Diseases in Women

• Heart Failure

Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart has become too weak to function and pump blood. Even though the name suggests failure, it does not mean that the heart has stopped working completely. 

• Arrhythmia

It is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or just fluctuate. 

• Coronary Heart Diseases

The type of heart disease in which the wall of the arteries is lined with plaque. This causes a decreased blood flow, which may cause a heart attack. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, especially in menopausal women. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, women are at a risk of developing heart disease like any other disease. Women should, therefore, regularly go to the doctor for a thorough check-up. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet has been shown to help combat the risk of heart disease for all genders and ages.

For more information on this topic, please reach out to us at RescueMD at 972-390-7667. We are an internal medicine, weight loss and women’s health practice. We serve Allen, Frisco, Mckinney, Plano, Dallas and surrounding areas. In addition to physicians, we also have registered dietitians and personal trainers on staff to treat and manage most cases.