Signs and Risk Factors of Heart Disease in Women

All women are at the risk of facing heart disease. However, by knowing the risks and symptoms that are targeted to women, you can protect yourself from heart ailments. As a general perception, heart disease is one of the primary causes of death in the United States. New studies indicate that the symptoms of heart diseases are different for both genders.

Signs of Heart Attack in Women

One of the most common symptom of heart attack is pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. However, it may not be severe even in worse cases especially in women. Moreover, some individuals may also experience a heart attack without chest pain.

There is a higher probability for women to have a heart attack without any chest pain whatsoever.

• Jaw, shoulder, neck, abdominal or upper back discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in both or one arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

Such symptoms are often subtle than the throbbing chest pain linked to heart attacks. Women tend to describe chest pain as tightness or pressure. This is primarily because women tend to have blockages in main and small arteries that supply blood to the heart. This condition is known as coronary microvascular disease.

These symptoms take place often when ladies are asleep or resting. Moreover, mental stress is also a trigger for heart disease

It has been observed that women show up at hospital after the heart damage has already taken place. Women tend to downplay their symptoms, as they link the things they experience with other ailments. Therefore, if you experience any of the symptoms stated up, seek medical help immediately.

Heart disease risk factors for women

While the traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease remain to be obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure in both men and women, there are also other factors that can cause heart diseases in women.

These factors may include:

• Diabetes: women suffering from diabetes are on a greater risk of heart diseases than men.
• Mental Diseases: Women suffering from stress and depression are likely to develop heart diseases. Depression generally makes it difficult for women to lead a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, if you are undergoing depression, seek help from a professional.
• Smoking: Women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing heart diseases than men.
• Menopause: after menopause, the estrogen levels pose a risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the small blood vessels.
• Certain Radiations and Chemotherapy for Cancer: Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiations that are used to treat breast cancer can increase the probability of cardiovascular diseases.
• Pregnancy complications: Those women who suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to develop heart disease.