When it comes to heart disease in women, they have all the same risk factors as men, such as diabetes, being overweight or obese, hypertension, high cholesterol, and being severely out of shape. However, there are risk factors for cardiovascular disease that women have and men don’t; these include:
- Hormonal birth control methods
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational hypertension
- Autoimmune disorders
At Women’s Aid Center, we offer specialized preventive measures to help women stay healthy and lower their chances of heart disease.
What Symptoms Indicate a Problem with Women’s Heart Health?
Unfortunately, many women don’t have any symptoms until their heart disease is extremely advanced. However, the moment that symptoms appear, you will experience on or more of the following depending on the type of heart disease:
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
- Leg pain when you walk
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen legs
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
When women have a heart attack, they may experience the same symptoms as men. These include difficulty breathing and chest pain. However, they are more likely to have pain in the neck, jaw, arms, upper back, or shoulders. It is also not unusual for women to have nausea, unusual fatigue, and indigestion during a heart attack.
How Can Women Protect their Heart Health?
Preventive cardiology is women’s most crucial step to safeguard their heart health. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, your specialist will assess your risk and perform fundamental diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram, stress testing, and echocardiogram.
Once your risks and underlying health concerns are found, your treatment plan incorporates lifestyle changes and medications when needed.
Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by M Johnson