Heart disease is not just a man’s problem. Cardiovascular Disease in women is the leading cause of death for women. Women are at greater risk than men of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other related diseases. Heart attacks and strokes are responsible for twice as many deaths in women as all cancers combined. On World Heart Day, let us look at how heart disease affects women.
“Although most women fear cancer, particularly breast cancer, they do not make the same efforts to safeguard themselves from heart disease, which is eminently preventable…We must strive to make women aware that to keep their hearts healthy, they need to eat smart, kick smoking, and move for health.”
Dr Catherine Le Galès-Camus, WHO Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases, and Mental Health
Many people associate cardiovascular disease mainly with men, but in reality, CVD is one of the most common causes of death for both men and women. When it comes to risk factors, there are many similarities between the two sexes, but there are also some differences. Before men used to get heart diseases at 50 years but now even men in their late 20s develop cardiac ailments. World Heart Day is observed annually on September 29 to spread awareness about the importance of keeping the heart fit as it’s one of the most important organs.
Women have a substantial burden of heart disease and stroke heart diseases affect men and women differently. According to a media report, over one crore annual deaths are reported in India, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause 20.3% of deaths in men and 16.9 percent deaths in women. Despite having a lower mortality rate than men, reports have often suggested that women are more at risk of CVD-related deaths. Women also have a greater lifetime risk for stroke, which is why it’s important to take steps to reduce this risk, such as finding out your cholesterol level and other CVD risk factors.
The presence of higher levels of oxytocin in women enables the fairer sex to be better at coping with stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which together shoot up the blood pressure and sugar levels. Conversely, for men who lack oxytocin, the competitive advantage is being able to release more testosterone under stress, which can improve their performance on physical tasks.
Women deal with stress by being more emotional, including tender or befriending responses, whereas men typically respond to stress with fight or flight responses. However, in Indian culture, women take care of the family and women’s health is put on the back burner because of this responsibility. This is responsible for delayed medical consultation and diagnosis.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Heart attack is when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked. Cholesterol blockages or deposition of cholesterol in the arteries of the heart occurs more in the surface of the large arteries of the heart in men, whereas in women it occurs in smaller vessels. This creates false indications of a heart attack in women revealing that the major arteries are doing fine. But they may prove to be silent killers as symptoms may not be as pronounced as they are in the case of large arteries.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, the two most important risk factors for heart disease and stroke, are more common in women than in men. Some of the symptoms of heart disease are:
- Heartburn
- Chest Pain or Tightness
- Shortness of Breath
- Fainting or Blacking Out
- Sudden Pain in the Arm, Shoulder or Jaw
- Heart Attack
- High Cholesterol when you’re young.
There are many symptoms of heart disease which are often not the same for men and women. This is because different genders experience different things. For example, men typically get chest pain on the left side while women are more likely to have discomfort in their shoulders, back, or neck. In addition, women are more likely to have a silent heart attack, which is a term that refers to a heart attack that does not cause any symptoms until it causes serious damage.
Treating Heart Disease
A sedentary lifestyle is a major cause to rise in heart disease at an early age, along with stress, bad dietary practices, smoking, and consumption of oral contraceptives. Lifestyle changes, along with medical attention can go a long way. Start with dietary changes and exercise. Focus on removing processed sugars and grains from the diet, replacing them with fruits and vegetables. Exercise regularly – first, by walking briskly for at least 30 minutes each day and then later by walking in time with your heart rate and then increasing the intensity of the exercise regimen gradually under expert supervision.
Stroke Prevention
Strokes are caused by clots in the brain. When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, parts of the brain cannot get the oxygen and nutrients needed to survive. Brain cells will die after about two hours of lack of oxygen. The sooner a stroke victim gets medical treatment, the better they’ll be able to recover.
Treatment for Strokes
The most important thing for stroke survivors is to get medical attention as soon as possible. It’s important that they be taken to the hospital or the emergency room, not do they need to go all the way to their doctor’s office. A stroke can happen at any time, but it is more likely to occur in people who are over the age of 65 and those who already have a history of cardiovascular disease.
This World Heart Day, get yourself a heart check-up done and pledge towards a healthier lifestyle.
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