Heart Problems Often Overlooked In Women And Why It’s Important You Know


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If you ask people  to describe a typical heart attack, most would paint man with crushing chest pain, probably with a background history of hypertension. But this traditional impression of heart disease, as it turns out, is only telling us half the story

 

We’ve come a long way since the days when a woman’s worry over heart disease-centered exclusively on its threat to the men in her life. We now know it’s not just a man’s problem. Every year, coronary heart disease, the single biggest cause of death worldwide, claims women and men in nearly equal numbers. Some data indicate that women are far more fearful of breast cancer in comparison to acquiring coronary heart disease. In spite of the fact that heart disease kills 6 times more women yearly!

Why The Disconnect on Heart Disease?

 

For one, breast cancer is thought to affect one’s body image and sexuality in ways that a heart diagnosis does not. On the other hand, heart disease makes its entrance much later in life.  On average, a woman’s first heart attack generally occur at 70 or older. Perhaps this delayed urgency may cause the threat to seem not so actual. 

 

Furthermore, some women add that their healthcare provider did not explain to them the risks and signs of coronary heart disease. Because of this, most women are unable to recognise the symptoms. Women would mistake them for signs of panic disorder, stress, and anxiety. 

 

Besides, this is also attributable to a historical failure to ensure gender balance in cardiology research.The basis for the management of heart disease are mainly from the numerous studies that predominately enrolled men. But don’t worry, research is finally digging into the biological, medical and social bases of these and other differences leading to a more tailor-made treatment and prevention strategy for women. 

 

Can Women Have Atypical Heart Attack Symptoms?

 

YES! 

 

“Although men and women can experience chest pressure that feels like an elephant sitting across the chest, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure, ” said Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director for the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU’s Langone Medical Center and an American Heart Association volunteer.

 

“Instead they may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.”

 

Even when the signs are subtle, the consequences can be deadly, especially if the victim doesn’t get help right away.

 

 

Conclusion

All in all, I hope this encourages you to speak with your medical professional in understanding the symptoms and risks. Coronary heart disease is very much a threat but one that is preventable with changes in lifestyle and eating habits. 



Yashwini Ravindranath

by Yashwini Ravindranath

Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.




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