Not many many people may know it but for every three women dying, one would usually have heart disease as a cause, and that number is for every year. What is more unsettling is the fact that more than 90% of women actually have one or more risk factors that lead to the development of various heart diseases. These figures, while contested by some, actually show that ore women die of heart-related conditions than breast cancer. Aside from this, it has been proven that heart attack signs and symptoms are different for both sexes. The disheartening part, however, is the fact that not many women are aware of this and actually misunderstand the importance of keeping a regular check on their heart’s health.
Heart diseases touch on not just the heart but also the blood vessels. That being the case, plaque build up along the walls of the vessels that impede the smooth flow of blood is also considered as a heart condition. Aside from this, however, heart conditions can come in the form of arrhythmia, heart failure, and problems with the heart valve. Although many women are aware of how important it is to keep the heart healthy, very few are aware of what kind of lifestyle they would need to have in order to do this. For example, smoking is one of the things that they would need to avoid if they would like to keep a healthy heart. It is also recommended that anyone with a risk for heart diseases should regularly monitor her blood sugar level as well as her blood pressure. Knowing your family’s health history when it comes to heart diseases can also be helpful as this would give you an idea of the risk that you face.
Now, as we have mentioned, the signs and symptoms of heart diseases in women can differ from that typically experienced by men. Most women who suffer from certain heart conditions would typically experience edema, palpitations, and angina. When it comes to angina, most women typically describe the experience as tightness in the chest area, squeezing and burning sensation, and a general feeling of malaise. Most of these symptoms typically appear when doing heavy activities that require heavy exertion. High stress, regardless whether it is emotional or physical in nature, is also another common reason for these symptoms. Particularly in women who have congestive heart failure, other symptoms could include fatigues and high blood pressure. Those who are about to have a stroke typically experience sudden hiccups, sudden general weakness, and sudden sweating.
In order to diagnose whether one is suffering from a heart disease, a number of tests are typically done. This would include an EKG or ECG, a stress-ECG, a n Endophat and an ABI. Depending on the heart condition concerned, the patient might also be required to undergo imaging studies as well as invasive testing.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can better deal with certain heart diseases. For one, you just need to make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle. It also helps if you have an AED unit at home in case of an emergency.
