Cardiovascular diseases, also known as heart diseases, are the leading killer of women in the US. It may be a common cause of death for males, but in the US, women are equally threatened to lose their lives due to heart conditions.
In fact, it’s the number one cause of death for women while they are in their 40s and 50s. And the numbers aren’t any better for younger women – heart disease is the second cause of death among women under 40. Scientists have been stunned by several discoveries where women aged 35 also had a heart attack. So it’s easy to say there is no age or gender safe from heart diseases or heart attacks.
In this blog, we have covered all about heart diseases so that you can know the early signs and target them timely.
What Are The Signs Of Heart Diseases In Women?
A partial or complete blockage of the blood vessels causes a myocardial attack or heart attack. The condition can turn from chronic to fatal if not diagnosed or looked into on time. But to be on the preventive side, it is important to have complete information about the signs and symptoms of the condition. It will enable you to seek immediate medical attention when needed.
Like every disease, cardiovascular diseases have several signs and symptoms. Among different symptoms of heart disease in women, some of the most common include the following:
Angina (Chest pain)
Severe or mild chest pain is the most observed symptom. The decreased blood flow toward the heart results in severe chest pain or angina. Experts refer to angina as angina pectoris. The patient feels a squeezing and sharp sensation in the heart.
Dyspnea (Shortness Of Breath)
Dyspnea is a common symptom of all types of heart diseases. In other words, you can also call dyspnea the shortness of breath. Dyspnea occurs when the heart does not get the required or standard amount of oxygen-filled blood from the lungs. It leads to discomfort in the patient.
Arrhythmia (Rapid Heartbeat)
Most cardiac patients suffer from arrhythmia or rapid heartbeat. There are several causes of rapid heartbeat, but the fatal one occurs a few minutes before a severe myocardial attack. Some of the most common cardiac conditions include tachycardia.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom found in heart patients. 70% to 80% of patients feel fatigued once they are diagnosed with any heart disease. It is because the process or cycle of oxygenated blood becomes slow or is blocked at some points. This is why the heart does not receive enough oxygenated blood to function normally.
Besides the above ones, some of the other signs of heart disease are:
- Sudden weight loss or unusual symptoms during sexual activity.
- Rapid heartbeat,
- Swelling in the legs or feet.
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms and are unsure if they are caused by heart disease, please consult a diagnostic center for women near you for immediate diagnosis.
Other signs that may indicate you have heart disease include experiencing an irregular heartbeat or feeling like your heart is pounding hard when you’re not physically active. If any of these symptoms continue to persist despite trying to adjust your lifestyle or take medication for your condition, it’s important to see a doctor.
What Are The Different Types Of Heart Diseases In Women?
Heart diseases are far more complicated than myocardial attacks and angina. There are several different sorts of heart disorders in women. However, the most common ones reported are:
Coronary Artery Disease
The most common type is called coronary artery disease, or CAD for short. This is when the arteries that transports blood to the heart become constricted or clogged. As a result, the heart has to use maximum strength to pump blood. The intense forces result in damaging the artery. CAD can lead to heart failure, a disorder in which the heart fails to drive enough blood around the body, and death can occur.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is usually an inherited disease characterized by the heart’s abnormal blood-pumping activity. However, acquired conditions are caused by tissue damage caused during severe myocardial attacks.
Moreover, this condition is quite common in women more than men. The other reasons causing cardiomyopathy include extensive alcohol conditions, high-dose medications, hypertension, and many more.
Diagnosed Heart disease at affordable diagnostic imaging
Broken Heart Syndrome
It is a more common heart disease found in women than in men. Broken heart syndrome is a temporary cardiac condition that is triggered by stress, shock, or surprise. This condition has nothing to do with bad cholesterol levels and can occur even if you are healthy.
Also, this condition is quite challenging to diagnose and can be treated with cardiac drugs. Mostly, it is observed in the post-menopause condition and does not cause any serious damage to the cardiovascular system or the surroundings.
Other Types Of Heart Disease In Women
There are always acute and chronic types of diseases. Chronic conditions are those which are difficult to treat or is treated by surgical means. However, acute conditions are easy to treat with medications. Some of the acute cardiac conditions are:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an abnormal growth of the muscle tissue in the walls of the heart’s chambers. About one-third of women with HCM will experience cardiac arrest due to abnormal rhythms caused by HCM. Women with HCM are at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and should be routinely screened for SCD.
Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a swollen sac that forms on one or both sides of the aorta, which is a large artery that carries oxygen and iron-rich blood from your heart to all other parts of your body. Aortic aneurysms are very dangerous because they can rupture, causing fatal bleeding inside your chest or abdomen.
Aneurysms usually occur as a result of aging and strongly suggest that you have your aortic aneurysm screened by an expert if you notice any concerning symptoms like intense chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, or coughing up blood.
What Are The Causes Of Heart Disease In Women?
Heart disease is the leading cause of thousands of women’s death in the United States. Moreover, it usually effects the health of women between the ages of 40 and 74. But what are the causes of heart disease in women?
One major cause is lifestyle choices. Women tend to smoke more than men and are more likely to have hypertension (high blood pressure) and cholesterol levels. These two factors are linked together – having high blood pressure often leads to high cholesterol levels, and both conditions can lead to heart disease.
Other risk factors for heart disease in women include obesity, which is being overweight, having a family history of heart disease, exercise habits that are too low or not consistent enough, and age. Women tend to get heart disease later in life than men, and they also have a great chance of developing cardiomyopathy (a condition that affects the heart muscle) than men.
There’s no one “cause” of heart disease in women – it’s a combination of things that contribute to a heightened risk. But getting screened for these risk factors and making healthy lifestyle changes can help lower your chances of developing heart disease.
How Can You Prevent Heart Disease In Women?
Heart syndrome is the primary killer of women, and the ratio is still increasing. The reasons are lifestyle and unhealthy dietary plans. In fact, one in five women will develop heart disease during her lifetime. But there are ways to prevent heart disease in women, and it starts with understanding the symptoms.
Get A Healthy Diet
The first and foremost thing to prevent the alarming cardiac condition is to switch to a healthy diet. Cut off the carbs and oily snacks. It will help you in decreasing the bad cholesterol in your body. Make the diet switch gradually, begin slowing, and eliminate the amount of fried stuff. You will see an efficient change in your body within less than two weeks. But you have to be strict with following your diet.
Keep Yourself Physically Active
Another way to prevent heart disease in women is to make sure you’re getting enough exercise. Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day at a moderate intensity (such as walking or cycling), and make sure you stretch after your workout. And finally, don’t smoke – smoking increases your risk of developing heart disease by up to 50%.
Quit Smoking
Many people find smoking cool and have made it their habit just to satisfy societal standards. But, Smoking is an all-in-one enemy to your heart and lungs. Constant smoking can weaken your heart and minimize the natural functioning capability of the visceral organs. It is not an easy task to let go of smoking in a single go; it is challenging, but living for long is a much-needed act.
Alcohol Not Allowed
Alcohol consumption is not a good habit. It has serious effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous systems.
It disbalances the natural frequency of the body functions causing abnormal effects in the human body. this also disturbs the sleep cycle, digestion, and all other major functions of the body.
How Can You Treat Heart Disease In Women?
Though you cannot do much, there are a few things that you can do to eliminate your risk of heart disease in women, including a healthy diet in your lifestyle and getting enough exercise. However, if you have symptoms of heart disease or notice any light symptoms, you should see your doctor for an early diagnosis and treatment.
The most observed symptoms of heart disease in women may consist of chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing during exercise, nausea or vomiting, weight gain around the middle, fatigue, and sudden changes in mood or energy levels.
Your doctor may recommend blood tests to check for signs of heart disease such as high blood pressure or cholesterol levels. If your doctor finds that you have signs of heart disease, he or she may recommend treatments such as medication and surgery.
Conclusion
Suppose you are a woman and experience any of the following symptoms. In that case, it is crucial to pay a visit to a womens imaging specialist for immediate diagnosis as soon as possible.
Although heart disease in women is rarer than heart disease in men, there are still many things you can do to prevent it and get the treatment you need when it does occur.
Make sure to have a word with your specialist about all of your risk factors for heart disease (such as smoking, being overweight or obese, and having high blood pressure), so that you have an accurate picture of what actions you should take to reduce your risk. You can also get yourself checked and scanned after your doctor’s advice through AQMDI clinics to get an accurate idea of your heart conditions.