Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women, and it is also the most preventable. Although the onset of heart disease typically occurs later in life, it can affect women at any age. As the population is aging, it is estimated that the impact of heart disease on women will reach epidemic proportions.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a range of conditions and factors that affect your heart. Common types of heart disease include:
- Coronary artery disease, which involves complications such as clogging of the blood vessels to the heart.
- Heart failure, which is when your heart is too weak to pump enough blood to support other organs in your body.
- Irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, which is when your heart beats too slowly, too quickly or in an irregular way.
Symptoms
It is important to know that some women may have no symptoms. Others may have:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest that may be dull and heavy or sharp
- Pain in the neck, jaw or throat
- Pain in the upper abdomen or back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness that won’t go away or feels excessive
- Shortness of breath
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Smoking
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30%
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress/depression
Women also face additional risk factors, including:
- Early first period (before age 11)
- History of preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Early menopause (before age 40)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Early childbirth delivery
- Low birth weight or high birth weight infant
Reducing Your Risk
You can reduce your risk of heart disease by developing a healthy lifestyle, including:
- Managing your blood pressure
- Controlling your cholesterol
- Reducing your blood sugar
- Being active
- Eating a healthy diet
- Losing excess weight
- Limiting your alcohol
- Stopping smoking
- Managing stress levels
Contact Us
To find a cardiologist in the Memphis, Tennessee area, use our physician locator.