Women and heart: what we must know
Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer. But most women - and even some physicians - don't know that fact.
That's why Mission joins with the rest of the nation on the first Friday of each February to observe Go Red for Women to raise awareness ... and to teach what women must do to protect themselves.
Signs and Symptoms: what to look for
Heart disease in women may have different signs and symptoms. Different tests may be needed to diagnose it. So it's imperative that you know how heart disease presents itself in women. It's not necessarily the classic symptom of crushing chest pain. It may also be:
- Fatigue that doesn't have a cause and doesn't go away
- Trouble breathing or catching your breath
- Chest pain - and also shoulder, jaw or back pain with no known cause
- Stomach upset
- Feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint
Many heart attack patients, men and women, say they also had a sense of impending doom. If there is any chance you could be having a heart attack, don't wait. CALL 911. If it IS a heart attack (or stroke) every minute counts.
Hear from three Asheville women who survived heart attack:
Consider this...
Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is the number one cause of death among women in the U.S - more than the next five causes of death combined.
Women having a heart attack are less likely to experience chest pain and may think they are suffering from fatigue or the flu.
Women having a heart attack are less likely to experience chest pain and may think they are suffering from fatigue or the flu.
Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age. Women who smoke are at risk of having a heart attack or other major heart problem 19 years earlier than nonsmokers.
Only 3 percent of U.S. adults practice all of the four main habits that prevent heart disease:
- eating a healthy diet,
- getting regular physical activity,
- maintaining a healthy weight, and
- not smoking.
There is no "cure" for cardiovascular disease. Once you get it, you will always have it - though there are ways of controlling it.
If you have any signs or symptoms, don't wait. See your doctor ... and if it feels serious, call 911 and go to the emergency department. Tell them you are concerned about heart disease.
To learn more about risk factors and prevention, visit the American Heart Association website.
