As with men, the most typical sign of a heart attack in women is prolonged or occasional chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. However, chest discomfort is not the most noticeable or most serious symptom, especially for women.
![Preventive measures to reduce heart disease risk and improve mortality rates in women (Image credit: Shutterstock) Preventive measures to reduce heart disease risk and improve mortality rates in women (Image credit: Shutterstock)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/06/14/550x309/breathing_problem_1646666050988_1718349743239.jpg)
Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Dr Rajesh Bhatt U, associate professor and senior interventional cardiologist, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, said, “Women often complain of heart attack pain as a feeling of squeezing or pressure. Moreover, chest pain is not necessarily a sign of a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain are more common in women than men.”
According to him, these symptoms include:
• Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, upper back, or upper abdomen
Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue
• Heartburn (indigestion)
Dr Rajesh Bhatt U revealed that these symptoms can be subtle and vague compared to the severe chest pain that often accompanies a heart attack. He said, “This may be because women are more likely than men to have blockages in both the large and small arteries that supply blood to the heart, a condition known as coronary microvascular disease or small vessel heart disease. Compared to men, women are more likely to experience symptoms at rest or while sleeping and emotional stress can play a role in triggering heart attack symptoms in women.”
The cardiologist added, “Heart attack symptoms differ between women and men, which is why women may be diagnosed with heart disease less frequently than men. In the absence of significant arterial blockage, women are more likely to have a heart attack (non-obstructive coronary artery disease) than men.”
Women’s Heart Disease Treatment:
“Treatment for heart disease is generally the same for men and women. Medication, angioplasty and stent placement, or coronary artery bypass surgery are some of the options,” says Dr Rajesh Bhatt U. Men and women are treated for heart disease differently and some notable differences include:
• Men and women deal with heart disease differently, with women less likely than men to take statins or aspirin to stave off future heart attacks, but studies have shown the benefits are similar for both groups.
• Women are less likely to have coronary artery bypass surgery than men, possibly because they have less obstructive disease or because their arteries are smaller and they have more small vessel disease.
• Cardiac rehabilitation can improve heart disease recovery and overall health. However, compared to men, women are less likely to receive a referral for cardiac rehabilitation.
Dr Rajesh Bhatt U highlighted that CVD in women is under-recognised and under-treated in clinical practice for many reasons and asserted that there is a need to increase awareness about CVD among women as the natural history of CVD differs between women and men. He pointed out, “Women are protected from CVD thanks to estrogen but after menopause, they are at higher risk than men. Awareness and better diagnostic tools are needed to assess the various aspects of CVD in women and detect it early. Management of risk factors and optimal treatment of underlying diseases can reduce the risk of CVD in women.”
Prevention measures women can take:
Using his expertise, Dr Srichandran L, Senior Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, asserts, “There are several proactive steps that women can take to safeguard their heart health and increase their chances of living a longer, healthier life. Regular health check-ups are one of the most important things in preventing heart diseases, which mainly analyze blood pressure, cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.”
He suggested, “A heart-healthy diet is one of the key factors to maintain good health. A healthy diet emphasises the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables. Limiting saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars will keep your body healthy. Regular exercise is a game-changing way to prevent heart disease. Women should do at least 50 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 25 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.”
Dr Srichandran L concludes, “Physical activity not only helps in weight management but also improves heart function, lowers blood pressure and promotes overall health. Tobacco and alcohol consumption significantly increase the risk of heart disease and heart attacks. They can also lead to damage to blood cells, increase blood pressure and reduce oxygen flow in the body.”