Heart disease affects more women in the US than any other potentially deadly disease. Among all U.S. women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease. In 2004, nearly 60 percent more women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. Many women are unaware of the differences between men and women in symptoms, presentation, risks and treatment options when dealing with heart disease. Heart disease includes a number of problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries (blood vessels that carry oxygen throughout the body) become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs.

Symptoms of CAD may include:

• Angina (an-JEYE-nuh). Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart does not get enough blood.

• Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or completely blocked, and the heart does not get the blood it needs for more than 20 minutes. Men and women have heart attacks and the best treatment is quick treatment. The most successful treatments occur within an hour of onset of the heart attack. If you think you may be having a heart attack, don’t wait, call 911!

Other aspects of Heart disease may include:

• Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood. It does not mean that the heart stops. Signs of heart failure include:

  • Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)

  • Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs

  • Extreme tiredness

• Heart arrhythmias (uh-RITH-mee-uhz) are changes in the beat of the heart. Most people have felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or had chest pains at one time. These changes in heartbeat are harmless for most people. As you get older, you are more likely to have arrhythmias. Don't panic if you have a few flutters or if your heart races once in a while. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If you have flutters/heart racing and other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath, call 911 right away

You can reduce your chances of getting heart disease by taking these steps:

-Be physically active

-Don’t smoke

-Eat healthy/be tested for Diabetes

-Maintain a normal weight

-know your numbers and what is normal (blood pressure/cholesterol levels)

- Elevated BP is over 140/90

- Total cholesterol level - Lower is better. Less than 200 mg/dL is best.

- LDL (bad) cholesterol - Lower is better. Less than 100 mg/dL is best.

- HDL (good) cholesterol - Higher is better. More than 60 mg/dL is best.

- Triglyceride levels - Lower is better. Less than 150mg/dL is best.

-communicate with your MD

-find healthy ways to reduce stress: go for a walk, visit with friends etc.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

For both women and men, the most common sign of a heart attack is:

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest. The pain or discomfort can be mild or strong. It can last more than a few minutes, or it can go away and come back.

Other common signs of a heart attack include:

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

• Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air). The shortness of breath often occurs before or along with the chest pain or discomfort.

• Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) or vomiting

• Feeling faint or woozy

• Breaking out in a cold sweat

Women are more likely than men to have these other common signs of a heart attack, particularly shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back, neck, or jaw. Women are also more likely to have less common signs of a heart attack, including:

• Heartburn

• Loss of appetite

• Feeling tired or weak

• Coughing

• Heart flutters

Sometimes the signs of a heart attack happen suddenly, but they can also develop slowly, over hours, days, and even weeks before a heart attack occurs.

Aspirin may be helpful for women at high risk, such as women who have already had a heart attack. Aspirin can have serious side effects and may be harmful when mixed with certain medicines. If you're thinking about taking aspirin, talk to your doctor first. If your doctor thinks aspirin is a good choice for you, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help with some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and bone loss, but there are risks, too. For some women, taking hormones can increase their chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about MHT.

For more information on women and heart disease, please call our office at 360-256-2640 to schedule an appointment or log onto the websites below.

Act In Time to Heart Attack Signs Campaign
National Heart Attack Alert Program
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573
Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime

The Heart Truth
National Awareness Campaign for Women about Heart Disease
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/index.htm