What women need to know about heart disease

Every 80 seconds, a woman dies from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. The good news is about 80% of cardiovascular disease may be prevented, by knowing and managing risk factors.

Facts about women and heart disease

• Heart disease is the number one killer of women. It impacts more women than men and kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease killed 310,661 women in 2021 — or about 1 in every 5 female deaths, according to the CDC.
• You can be at risk without symptoms. Almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• It affects women of all ages – overeating, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of heart disease.
• Some risk factors you can’t do anything about. However, others you can treat, manage or control with the help of your primary care provider. Those you can’t change, like your family history, are still important when assessing your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease risk factors

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Mental stress and depression
• Smoking
• Lack of regular activity
• Alcohol consumption
• Broken heart syndrome – often brought on by sudden, stressful situations that can cause severe, usually temporary, heart muscle failure. This is most common in women after menopause.
• Pregnancy complications like high blood pressure or diabetes can increase a woman’s long-term risk of heart disease.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack

• Chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom.
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms – back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
• 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.

How women can reduce their risk of heart disease

• Quit smoking – Smoking affects the heart and blood vessels and is one of the most preventable causes of heart disease. When you smoke, your arteries tighten, which makes your heart work harder. Smoking also can trigger an irregular heart rhythm and raise blood pressure, which are leading causes of stroke.
• Eat well – A diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains is your first defense against the onset of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Exercise – Being physically active releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins which help reduce stress and protect against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle and helping you maintain a healthy weight. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can improve your heart health.
• Eliminate or moderate your alcohol intake – Excessive drinking can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, obesity and stroke.
• Practice relaxation techniques – like mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing. Learning how to relax can help lower your stress levels and your blood pressure.
• Get regular health check-ups – especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Work with your doctors to find the best way to manage your individual health needs.
• Know your numbers – total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index.
• Sleep well – Sleep is essential for a healthy heart. People who don’t sleep enough are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.

How stress affects the heart

• Unmanaged stress, especially stress-related anger and hostility, can affect your health. It may cause:
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Damage to your arteries
  • Higher cholesterol levels
  • The development and progression of coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
  • A weakened immune system
• In times of stress, people often turn to harmful habits to reduce their stress, such as cigarette smoking, overeating, use of drugs or over-use of alcohol. All these factors put you at additional risk for heart disease and stroke.

Advanced heart care, close to home

Care teams with Ascension Wisconsin provide advanced heart testing and diagnostics, treatments, medication management, surgical heart and vascular care and rehabilitation. And as part of a national heart care team, our doctors share best practices in care and research, connecting you to advanced heart care close to home. Find a doctor and start by calling or scheduling an appointment online, by clicking here.

Desiree Dizadji, MD, is a cardiologist with Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin at 3803 Spring St. in Racine. She is board-certified in cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and internal medicine. To schedule an appointment, call 262-687-8260.