People tend to associate heart attacks with men more than women; however women are also susceptible to heart attacks and, more importantly, they are more prone to dying of one as compared to men.
In the past, it was believed that heart attacks primarily affected men and hence women ended up being diagnosed late, as a result of which the outcome turned out to be poorer for women.
However today, it is common knowledge that the number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease. Every 90 seconds, a woman is known to suffer a heart attack in the country. African American women and Hispanic women are more vulnerable to heart disease than Caucasian women. Approximately 40,000 young women are hospitalized every year in the United States for heart problems. Heart attacks in women under 30 are much less common compared to women over 50; however they still do stand the risk of heart attacks based on their physiological make-up and lifestyle choices as well as their family history.
Recognizing a heart attack and its symptoms is very important as it will help to save your life. Symptoms can vary from being non existent to subtle to very evident. Many heart attacks start with subtle signs of chest discomfort which may come and go, while some might experience extreme pain. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately and inform them about your symptoms. According to a study, most women who had a heart attack experienced certain symptoms weeks before the attack. Some very frequent symptoms were fatigue well beyond the normal, sleep disturbance, indigestion, shortness of breath and anxiety. The most common symptoms for heart attacks in women are:
Heart attacks in women over 50 are more common than in women of any other age. This happens because women go through very important physical changes during this time. The levels of the hormone estrogen, which is believed to protect the heart, drop during menopause. Some women go for menopausal hormone therapy to help deal with the symptoms of menopause; this involves taking medication for hormones, however it increases the risk of having a heart attack.
A heart attack takes place when an artery that carries blood to the heart gets blocked. This prevents nutrients and oxygen from reaching some parts of the heart muscle. The condition that causes narrowing of the arteries is known as coronary artery disease, and arteries that are already narrowed are susceptible to developing blockages. Plaque, which is composed of fatty deposits, gets attached to the walls of the arteries that send blood to the heart. This process happens over a period of years, and ultimately the blood starts to mass together into a clot. These clots cause blockages to the heart, eventually causing a heart attack. The causes of heart attacks in women can include various factors which are hereditary, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cigarette smoking. There are some non-coronary causes of heart attacks as well, which can happen due to use of cocaine, prinzmetal angina/coronary artery vasospasm, anomalous coronary artery and inadequate oxygenation.
There are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid heart attacks. One of the important things to you should keep note of is your blood pressure. Knowing your blood pressure is a good thing; keep checking your blood pressure from time to time, especially if you are aware that you suffer from high blood pressure. Quit smoking for this will majorly help in the avoidance of heart attacks. Diabetes raises the chances of developing heart disease, so get checked for diabetes and if you already have it, do everything you can to maintain your blood sugar levels. Finally, you must of course reduce or keep in check your cholesterol by exercising and eating healthy.
References