T
roubling Statistics of Women and Heart Disease
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States ? In fact , in 2013 , about one in every four female deaths was attributed to heart disease . Despite generally increased awareness over the last 10 to 15 years , only 54 % of women know that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U . S .
A 2012 study by the American Heart Association found that 64 % of women who died suddenly of heart disease had no previous symptoms ! Therefore , even if you are symptomless , you may still be at risk for developing heart disease . One of the challenging aspects of women and heart disease is that many of the symptoms present differently in men and women . attack . Women are also more likely than men to have pain in the jaw , neck , shoulder , back , and abdomen . Women are also more likely than men to report pain in one or both arms , pain in the upper part of the stomach , indigestion , vomiting , nausea ( feeling sick to the stomach ), heartburn , unusual or extreme fatigue ( tiredness ), lightheadedness or dizziness , or problems breathing ( shortness of breath ).
Becoming aware of how certain symptoms present themselves in women is the first step to understanding your risk and reducing your risk of heart disease . Combining awareness , a heart-healthy diet , and exercise can help protect women from heart disease .
Some troubling facts and statistics about women and heart attacks
Heart attacks and chest pain are not synonymous . Angina , or chest pain / discomfort that occurs when your heart doesn ’ t get enough oxygen-rich blood , is a common symptom of heart disease . Some women may experience a heart attack or develop heart disease with no chest pain or discomfort to speak of –– referred to as silent heart disease –– but they are in the minority . Unfortunately , silent heart disease may not be discovered until a woman has signs and symptoms of a heart attack , stroke , heart failure , or irregular heart beat ( arrhythmia ).
The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of chest pain , chest pressure , or discomfort . According to the National Lung , Heart and Blood Institute , women are more likely to describe a sharp , burning chest pain as compared with men ( who often describe angina as a pressure or squeezing in the chest ). But in women , chest pain is not always the most prominent symptom when having a heart
In men , angina typically worsens with physical activity and goes away with rest . Women are more likely than men to have angina while they ’ re resting or even asleep , and can be triggered by mental stress in women more so than men according to the NIH .
Women , Heart Attacks , and Visiting the Emergency Room
Women are more likely than men to show up in the emergency room after sustaining damage to their hearts because
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DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017
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