Heart Diseases are more Common in Women

• Women are more susceptible to heart diseases than men
• The most common symptoms of heart attack in women include pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest
• There are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease

 Heart disease is often thought of as a problem for men, more women than men die of heart disease every year. Symptoms in women can be different from symptoms in men. Fortunately, women can take steps to understand their unique symptoms of heart disease and to begin to reduce their risk of heart disease.

The most common symptom of heart attack in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. Women are more likely than men to have atypical heart attack symptoms which are unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• shortness of breath
• nausea or vomiting
• sweating
• light-headedness or dizziness
• and unusual fatigue

These symptoms are more subtle than the obvious crushing chest pain often associated with heart attacks especially in men. This may be because women tend to have blockages not only in their main arteries but also in the smaller arteries that supply blood to the heart — a condition called small vessel heart disease or microvascular disease.

Many women tend to show up in emergency rooms after much heart damage has already occurred because their symptoms are not those typically associated with a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms or think you're having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't drive yourself to the emergency room unless you have no other options.

It is important to remember in Indian context that women often take the back seat when it comes to getting themselves treated. This is also another reason for late presentation in Indian women.

Read: Recognizing Female Heart Attack Symptoms

Heart Disease Risk Factors for Women

Although the traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease — such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity — affect women and men, other factors may play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women. For example:

• Metabolic syndrome — a combination of fat around your abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high triglycerides — has a greater impact on women than on men
• Mental stress and depression affect women's hearts more than men's. Depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow recommended treatment, so talk to your doctor if you're having symptoms of depression
• Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than in men. Younger Indian women have taken to smoking
• Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels (small vessel heart disease)

Is heart disease something only older women should worry about?

No. Women under the age of 65 who have a family history of heart disease should pay particularly close attention to the heart disease risk factors. Women of all ages should take heart disease seriously.

What can women do to reduce their risk of heart disease?

There are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease:

• Exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day on most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit or don't start smoking
• Eat a diet that's low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt

Read: Oils for Healthy Heart

You'll also need to take prescribed medications appropriately, such as blood pressure medications, blood thinners and aspirin. And you'll need to better manage other conditions that are risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Some women at high risk of heart disease may also benefit from the use of supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Read more articles on Heart Health.