Heart disease is the leading threat to women’s health: Here’s what you can do

Women are great at juggling it all, including family, work, pets, parents and everyone else’s needs. This often puts heart health last on the list. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women and men, which means it deserves your attention now, not later.

Prevention starts with knowing where you stand. A primary care physician (PCP) can help you understand your risk factors, recognize symptoms and keep track of your numbers over time. If you are ready to focus on you, visit our primary care page to schedule an appointment.

Watch for these symptoms in women

Heart attack symptoms in women do not always match the dramatic chest-clutching scenes we see on TV. While men are more likely to feel this intense chest pain, women can have classic symptoms but more often experience subtler signals that can be easy to brush off or misinterpret. Because these signs are easier to miss and underdiagnosed, they are often referred to as “silent” heart attacks.

Don’t dismiss these non-traditional symptoms as stress, anxiety or indigestion. They deserve serious attention, so watch closely for:

• Pain or pressure in the arms
• Pressure across the shoulders
• Jaw aching
• Throat fullness or tightness
• Acid-reflux-like discomfort
• Chest burning or indigestion that does not go away
• Shortness of breath or unusual fatigue
• Nausea, sweating or feeling unusually lethargic

Know your normal

Many of these symptoms can feel like everyday issues, which is why knowing your normal matters. If something feels off, different or persistent in your body, trust your instincts and get help right away. Your body is good at sending signals if you listen closely.

Work with your PCP

Ladies, your health plan should include more than your annual OB/GYN visit. A PCP helps connect the dots over time and focuses on prevention before problems start. Knowing your history allows your doctor to step in early and guide healthier choices.

If you have not had a physical in a while or do not have a PCP, now is a great time to start. Many of our physicians are accepting new patients and all are highly trained in the latest preventive care. Starting early gives you more control over your long-term health.

Know your numbers

Some simple tests can reveal a lot about your heart health. Blood tests like lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity CRP can help identify increased cardiovascular risk. These tests are often used after a heart event but can also provide valuable insight before one occurs.

If you are over 40, ask your doctor about a CT calcium scan. This scan looks for calcium in the coronary arteries, a sign of plaque and heart disease. No calcium may mean repeating the scan in 10 years, while calcium present allows your doctor to take a more proactive approach.

5 more reasons to pay attention to heart health

Still need convincing? Here are five more reasons heart health deserves your focus:

1. Women experience autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus more often than men, increasing inflammation and heart risk.
2. Breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and chest radiation can affect the heart and heart valves.
3. Conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes in pregnancy raise the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease later in life.
4. Factors like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or early onset of the menstrual period (early menarche).
5. Heart attacks are increasing in women under 55, sometimes related to spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) during pregnancy or delivery or due to not recognizing possible heart related symptoms.
6. After menopause, cholesterol changes and arteries stiffen, increasing risk as women tend to develop heart disease about 10 years later than men.

Be proactive with your heart health

Endeavor Health wants to help you prevent a silent heart attack. Our primary care physicians will work with you to understand your risks, track key health numbers and recommend the right tests at the right time. Stay aware, be proactive and give your heart the attention it deserves. 

Schedule a primary care appointment.