World Heart Day 2014: Why women are at a greater risk of heart disease than men

29th September is World Heart Day.

There is a wide misconception that heart attacks occur mostly in males, but statistics and research suggests otherwise. According to Women’s Heart Foundation, 8.6 million women die from heart disease every year worldwide. This accounts for one third of all mortality in women.

Women and heart attacks

Crushing pain in the chest and shortness of breath are the typical tell-tale signs of a heart attack. But the symptoms are what usually men experience. Women are at a higher risk for mortality from heart attack than men because they do not recognise the signs of a heart attack and therefore neglect it.

Both men and women may have classic heart attack symptoms such as chest pain and pressure radiating to the arms, shoulders, and neck, and shortness of breath. Stress and exertion make the symptoms worse.

Dr. MadhuSreedharan, Cardiologist and Director of NIMS Heart Foundation, Trivandrum, explains that certain other atypical symptoms of heart attack are more common in women. ‘Don’t neglect these symptoms. When you have a heart attack, every minute is crucial. The earlier you get treated, the better your chances of complete recovery,’ says Dr. Sreedharan.

According to Harvard Health, the following are the top heart attack symptoms in women:

• Shortness of breath


• Weakness


• Fatigue


• Cold sweat


• Dizziness


• Nausea


• Arms feeling heavy or weak

Women may also experience a burning sensation in their abdomen, or feel lightheaded. The typical pain in the left side of the chest may be conspicuously absent.

Heart diseases in men and women

Men and women also tend to develop heart diseases a little differently.

Differences in plaque distribution

Men usually suffer from plaque buildup in the main arteries of the heart. Therefore, male heart diseases are more likely due to coronary artery blockage, usually referred to as obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

In women, heart diseases are commonly seen in the small arteries that branch out from the larger coronary arteries. These microvascular diseases (MVD) are not usually picked up by standard diagnostic procedures such as coronary angiography. So it may remain unidentified and consequently untreated. Functional vascular imaging is the preferred diagnostic procedure to detect microvascular dysfunctions.

Estrogen and heart disease

After menopause, women are at a higher risk for heart disease because of the decreasing level of the female hormone estrogen. When the hormone levels decrease, it leads to lower amounts of good cholesterol (HDL) and higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), thus increasing their risk of heart disease.

Women who are under hormone replacement therapy, especially those aged 51 to 54 years, have a higher risk of heart disease, according to a Danish study. However, the study also found that overall, there was no increased risk in HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) users as compared to those who never had the treatment. The American Heart Association advises women to discuss the pros and cons of HRT with their doctor before starting it.

Risk factors for heart disease in women

By being aware of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and making appropriate lifestyle changes, women may be able to significantly reduce their risk for heart attack.

High blood pressure

Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Hypertension can be controlled with a healthy diet, physical activity and medicines.

Cholesterol

The HDL levels are the most important predictor of heart health. The higher the HDL, the lower the risk of suffering from heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be improved with the help of exercise, diet and medication.

Diabetes

Women with diabetes usually tend to be sedentary and overweight, have high cholesterol and hypertension. It is essential that you manage diabetes well to ensure good cardiovascular health. 

Obesity

Obesity is another strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Women who have larger amounts of fat around their waist are usually at a higher risk of heart disease than those who have more fat around their hips. Therefore it is essential that you manage your weight with proper diet and exercise to safely lose weight and safeguard heart health.

Photo source: Getty images

You may also like to read:

• 5 natural foods to prevent heart disease


• 7 innovative ways to keep your child’s heart healthy


• What is the link between diabetes and heart disease?

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