Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. Despite this fact, 89% of women are unaware of risk factors for heart disease that are unique to them.
These women could be your mom, sister, aunt, best friend — you. That’s why it’s crucial for women to understand their risk factors.
Heart disease risk factors unique to women
“Traditional” heart attack and heart disease risk factors, like smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes, increase the odds of heart disease or stroke for both men and women. But women also face additional risk factors for heart disease, including:
- Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, are more prevalent in women than men and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Autoimmune disorders lead to inflammatory conditions that affect various tissues and organs, including the heart and blood vessels. These conditions also increase women’s risk of heart problems when combined with other factors like diabetes and cholesterol issues.
- Breast cancer treatment/cancer treatment
Breast cancer treatments can be a risk factor for heart disease. Older women who survive breast cancer are more likely to die of heart disease than a cancer recurrence. Sometimes, cancer directly causes heart problems. For example, it can cause fluid buildup around the heart.
- Early menopause/Hormonal changes
During and after menopause, a woman’s body gradually decreases estrogen production. Estrogen is associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Because of this, women in premature menopause (before age 40-45), menopause, and perimenopause are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks associated with menopausal hormone therapy.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a metabolic syndrome that can cause excess body fat, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol levels, diabetes and more. Having one or more of these conditions associated with PCOS can more than double a woman’s lifetime risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you are diagnosed with PCOS, it is important to lower your risk of heart disease.
- Pregnancy complications
A history of pregnancy-related complications and/or poor pregnancy outcomes can raise a woman’s lifetime heart disease risk. Common conditions include:
- Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes
- Delivering a preterm baby
- Psychological and social factors
Heart disease in women isn’t just caused by physical issues. Mental health problems like depression, stress, anxiety, PTSD or abuse can also increase the risk by causing high blood pressure. This forces the heart to work harder.
- Smoking
Women who smoke are more likely to have a heart attack than men who smoke. In addition, women older than 35 who smoke and take birth control pills are at much greater risk for heart disease, stroke and blood clots.
Heart attack symptoms may also be different for women
Getting familiar with the symptoms of a heart attack could save a life, including your own.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
Some women having a heart attack describe upper back pressure that “feels like squeezing or a rope being tied around them.” They may also feel “uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain” in the center of the chest. The pressure may last more than a few minutes or go away and come back.
Additional symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Pain or discomfort in:
- Arms (one or both)
- Back
- Neck
- Jaw
- Stomach
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs include:
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
Symptoms women may have during a heart attack that they may not associate with a heart attack:
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea, severe indigestion or vomiting
- Pain in the middle or upper back, shoulder or arm
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
Call 911 within five minutes if you experience any of these symptoms.
Educating yourself about risk factors for heart disease and symptoms associated with a heart attack is the first step towards a heart-healthy lifestyle for women of all ages.
Start your heart-health journey with a visit to your primary healthcare team. You can schedule an appointment with your Sentara Medical Group care provider via Sentara MyChart.
If you need a primary care provider, Sentara Medica Group’s team of doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners is accepting new patients.