Your Health Take control of your heart health
Many people think women don’t get heart disease. But the facts tell the truth...heart disease is the number one killer of women, and any woman is susceptible. In the United States, all cardiovascular diseases combined have claimed the lives of more than 460,000 females while all forms of cancer combined took the lives of more than 270,000 females.
When you think about heart disease, you probably think about chest pain. Although men and women share some common symptoms, including chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness, there are additional signs of heart disease specifically for women.
What are the signs of heart disease in women?
The most important sign is feeling really tired – even after enough sleep. Other signs are:
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble sleeping
- Flu-like symptoms
- Feeling of anxiety
- New or worse headaches
- An ache in the chest
- Feeling “heavy” or “tight” in the chest
- A burning feeling in the chest
- Pain in the back, between the shoulders
- Pain or tightness in the chest that spreads to the jaw, neck, shoulders, ear, or the inside of the arms
- Pain in the belly, above the belly button
“Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out,” said Dr. Rafat Padaria, Davenport, IA. “Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 911.” Emergency medical services personnel can begin treatment when they arrive – up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. If you don’t have access to an ambulance, have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you’re the one having symptoms, don’t drive yourself unless you have absolutely no other option.
Twenty-three percent of women age 40 and older who have an initial recognized myocardial infarction (MI, or heart attack) die within a year compared with 18 percent of men. In part because women have heart attacks at older ages than men do, they’re more likely to die from them within a few weeks.
What can women do to prevent being a statistic? Although there are things you cannot change: family history, age, and gender; you can modify your lifestyle
Lower your risk of heart disease
- Don’t smoke. Stay away from other people who are smoking.
- Get your blood pressure checked often. You might need medicine to keep it at the right level.
- Control your diabetes.
- Get your cholesterol checked often.
- Stay active. Walking every day can lower your chances of a heart attack.
- Eat less salt.
- Eat right and keep a healthy weight.
- Do not use hormones to prevent heart attacks.
- Refrain from being stressed, angry, or sad – may increase risk.
According to Dr. Padaria, “Knowing your numbers is a big part of keeping your heart healthy. They can help you and your doctor determine risks and mark the progress you’re making toward a healthier heart. Ask your doctor about cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and fasting glucose. The rest you can monitor yourself.”
Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL – optimal; 100 to 129 mg/dL – near optimal/above optimal; 130 to 159 mg/dL – borderline high; 160 to 189 mg/dL – high; 190 mg/dL and above – very high
HDL (“good”) cholesterol: 50 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
Blood pressure: Less than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury)
Fasting glucose: Less than 100 mg/dL
Waist circumference: Less than 35 inches
Exercise minimum: 30 minutes most days, if not every day
Body-mass index (BMI): Less than 25 kilograms per square meter
Finally, last but not least, all women need to take control of their heart health. Seek medical attention sooner rather than later.
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