Mar
31
Did you know that more women die due to heart disease each year than men? Breast cancer and other cancers are perceived as the biggest risk for women, but it is heart disease coupled with menopause and the loss of heart protective estrogen that is the biggest risk for women. In addition, men and women may present different symptoms of heart disease.
Classic symptoms for men include chest heaviness and burning that comes on with exertion, pain radiating to the neck and jaw, along with shortness of breath and sweating. While women can have those symptoms, their symptoms may be more subtle such as some shortness of breath, more fatigue and general body aches. Women may have back and neck discomfort and may just not feel well. These symptoms may be vague enough that you are unsure of what is causing them. Women also tend to experience physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks.
DuPage Medical Group’s Dr. Michael Schmidt says that women with heart disease may also experience palpitations or the feeling that their heart is racing. Dr. Schmidt recommends women receive an imaging stress test instead of the common treadmill stress test for men. Often called a nuclear stress test, it involves injecting a radioisotope and sending a patient through a scanner to study blood flow through the heart.
If you think you are having a heart attack whether you are a woman or a man, don’t be shy about calling an ambulance immediately. Dr. Schmidt says that it is ideal to get treatment right away.
Both women and men should take preventative action by exercising regularly; maintaining a healthy weight; keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels in check; not smoking; and reducing stress.
Read entire article in UticaOD.com
DuPage Medical Group’s Cardiology Department
American Heart Association Website on Women and Heart Disease