Signs, Symptoms & Treatment of Heart Disease in Women

How does Heart Disease Affect Women?

Although heart diseases have been known to be a major cause of death in most adult males, statistical evidence suggests that it is also the leading cause of death in women. A cardiologist will help determine your condition and curate a treatment for you.

However, many women still believe that the more fatal health disorder in women is breast cancer. Breast cancer, although fatal if left untreated, can often have very clear indications in the early stages. Whereas, the early signs and symptoms of heart diseases can often be obscure in the case of women. Luckily physicians have identified certain tell-tale signs that can indicate underlying heart conditions in women.

However, many women still believe that the more fatal health disorder in women is breast cancer. Breast cancer, although fatal if left untreated, can often have very clear indications in the early stages. Whereas, the early signs and symptoms of heart diseases can often be obscure in the case of women. Luckily physicians have identified certain tell-tale signs that can indicate underlying heart conditions in women.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

Although there are some inherent differences in the identifiable signs and symptoms of heart disease in men and women, the most fundamental symptom is the same. Recurrent or prolonged periods of chest pain and feelings of discomfort related to the chest area can often be clear indications of underlying coronary or cardiac diseases. The nature of this chest pain is often different in women and this is what makes the signs and symptoms different in men and women. Some of the most common symptoms of heart disease in women, other than chest pain, are:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue
• Indigestion

Most of these symptoms are not as overt as the typical chest pain, but this is mostly because heart attacks in women can be caused not just due to blockages in the main coronary arteries but also by blockages in the smaller blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. The latter is more common with the coronary micro vascular disease that is found more often in women than men. Therefore, since these signs and symptoms of heart diseases in women are so mild and almost unnoticeable, women are rarely diagnosed with heart diseases until it's too late.

Causes of Heart Disease in Women

Once you have been well-versed in identifying the probable signs and symptoms of heart diseases in women, it is necessary to understand the underlying causes of heart diseases in women as well. High cholesterol, obesity, and high blood pressure are some of the most common causes of coronary heart diseases in both men and women. However, there are certain specific causes and risk factors that put women at risk of developing coronary heart diseases. The list given below will help you in identifying some of the most probable causes of heart disease in women.

Diabetes: Research has shown that women suffering from chronic ailments such as type 2 diabetes have a higher propensity of developing coronary heart disease than men. Another useful bit of knowledge is that diabetes often reduces the sensation of pain in women and this can result in a silent heart attack which is not accompanied by the typical chest pain preceding it.

Also read: Type 2 Diabetes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Mental Stress: The stress of daily life as well as other serious mental health disorders like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can also be one of the underlying causes for the development of heart diseases in women. This is mainly because MMD causes an unregulated lifestyle which can increase the chances of blockages in the arteries.

Smoking: Women who smoke regularly are always at a greater risk of developing heart diseases than other women who don’t smoke. Moreover, smoking in women has often been considered a greater catalyst towards developing heart diseases than in men.

Sedentary Lifestyle: An inactive and sedentary lifestyle is an equal driver towards the development of coronary heart diseases in women as it is in men.

Menopause: This is one because that is unique to women because low oestrogen levels during menopause can increase the risk of developing coronary heart diseases with respect to the small blood vessels in the body.

Pregnancy: Complications during pregnancy like diabetes or high blood pressure further increase the chances of developing such ailments even after the delivery. These are high-risk factors that are often considered the main causes of heart diseases.

Also read: Baby Signs to look out for During Pregnancy

Treatment of Heart Diseases in Women

Treatment of heart diseases in women has taken 6 major approaches. While most of these lifestyle changes, these approaches also incorporate medicinal and surgical treatment approaches.

Diet: A healthy diet that is right for the heart should be consumed by women who may have a higher propensity for developing heart diseases. For example, food that is free of trans fat and other saturated fats should be avoided at all costs. Diets that can regulate the levels of Triglycerides and HDL are perfect for women.

Exercise: Regular exercise is the best way to prevent blockages in the coronary arteries and blood vessels. The frequency and intensity levels of the exercise being done should be moderated to ensure that the heart rate does not go off the charts.

Weight Management: The direct and indirect negative effects of obesity in women have been discussed by several nutritionists as well as gynaecologists. Without effective weight management, women have a higher possibility of developing heart diseases and other coronary vascular diseases.

Mental Health: Since it has been found that mental stress and other mental health disorders like MDD (commonly known as depression) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can affect the heart functioning of women. Therefore, maintaining a stress-free life can be an effective line of treatment for women who are suffering from heart diseases.

Medications: Typical heart attack medication like Beta-blockers are one common medicative line of treatment for women suffering from heart diseases. These can often act as SOS medication in times of need. Statins, on the other hand, help to reduce cholesterol levels and also relaxes the blood vessels, thereby reducing the chances of a heart attack. Other medications like ACE inhibitors are also administered to women to treat heart diseases.

Surgery: The final line of treatment when all else fails, is usually surgery. One of the most critical surgical procedures is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) which consists of bypassing blocked blood vessels surgically. More common surgical methods to treat coronary heart diseases are the placement of stents in blood vessels to keep them open. Angioplasty is also a similar common surgical procedure in women to treat blockages in the blood vessels due to fat deposits.

Conclusion

Upon understanding clearly, the risks of coronary heart diseases in women and the tedious methods of treatment, it is but obvious that prevention and early identification is the best form of cure. Online Doctor Consultation is the best option to gain an expert opinion on the mild signs and symptoms that you think may indicate heart diseases. A cardiologist usually conducts several tests before they can pinpoint the actual cause. Nevertheless, there are quite a few expert professionals who can help women identify the earliest signs so that effective treatment can begin as early as possible.

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