In the world of heart attacks, time is muscle. The sooner a heart attack is diagnosed and treated, the less damage the heart muscle endures, and the better the chances for survival and recovery. When a woman suffers a heart attack she may feel a variety of symptoms that have nothing to do with chest pain. In fact, a 2003 nationwide study reported in the American Heart Association journal found that out of 515 women who had suffered heart attacks, only 30% experienced any chest discomfort in the month prior to the attack. Instead, watch out for any of the following symptoms: fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, indigestion, nausea, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and chest pain while at rest or during exercise. If you experience any of these symptoms for no apparent reason (or know someone who does) see your doctor immediately.
Am I at Risk?
Knowledge and prevention are two keys to fighting heart disease in women. First of all, know your risk. Below are five important areas to help you asses your level of risk:
Family history – Look at your first-degree relatives (mom, dad, sister, brother.) If any of them have suffered from heart disease your risk is higher.
Age – Women develop heart disease at an increasing rate as they age. While women over 65 are most at risk, women of any age can still develop heart disease.
Weight – Being overweight contributes to a variety of health problems, including heart disease. Excess fat raises blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and lowers good cholesterol. Excess fat around the waistline is particularly concerning because it raises insulin levels, which can cause calcium deposits in the blood vessels. A tape measure around your waist should read less than 35 inches.
Smoking – Smoking constricts the blood vessels and makes blood more likely to clot. A year after quitting, your risk of heart attack is cut in half.
Stress – Intense emotions can raise your blood pressure and produce chemicals in your body, like adrenaline, that damage blood vessels. While we all experience some stress, a consistent lifestyle of stress of depression can put you at higher risk.
Diabetes – women with diabetes have a higher risk for developing heart disease than women without.
Menopause – women who have gone through menopause also have a higher risk for developing heart disease. Women who experience early menopause (before 40) can be at particularly high risk.