Heart Disease and Women: Steps to a Heart Healthy Life

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for U.S. men and women.

According to the American Heart Association, more women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

Irina Staicu, MD, a cardiologist with Barrington Cardiology, says many women don’t realize they may be at risk or don’t fully understand how important it is to make the right choices for their hearts until it’s too late.

“Women need to be thinking about eating a  heart-healthy diet, getting regular exercise, abstaining from smoking and reducing stress,” Staicu says.  “Women should also understand their risks, get regular screenings, and recognize warning signs so that they can get responsive care when they need it.”

Dr. Staicu, who is on the medical staff at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington,  applauds the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, which aims to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.

One of the goals of Go Red for Women is to educate women about the signs of a heart attack. These include:

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

“It is important that women understand they may experience the early signs of a heart attack much differently than men,” says Dr. Staicu.  “A lack of awareness about these symptoms can prevent women from seeking life-saving care.”

Statistics show that mortality rates following a heart attack are higher for women at any age.  Additionally, at age 65 and older the risk of heart attack is higher for women than for men. The difference in mortality rates are not fully understood, but may relate in part to the difference in symptoms and a possible delay in treatment.

What can women do?  Dr. Staicu urges women to make heart health a “top of the list” priority, with steps that include:

• Regular medical evaluations that include blood pressure and lipid levels

• Diet low in sodium and sugar but rich in fruit, vegetables and low-fat protein

• Moderate to vigorous exercise

• Smoking cessation

• Stress reduction through exercise, relaxation techniques and work-life balance 

“Women are very good at taking care of others, but we need to start taking care of ourselves as well,” Dr. Staicu stresses.

Source: Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital press release