Women not immune
to cardiovascular disease


By JIM SMITH

When it comes to heart health, women are different.

Heart health is determined by factors that we can control and a few that we cannot. An example of a factor we cannot control is gender; men have an elevated risk for heart disease.

Some mistakenly interpret this to mean that women do not have to worry about heart disease, and that is wrong. Women have similar risks for cardiovascular disease; the difference is that women tend to develop heart disease several years later in life than men.

Therefore, women also need to be on the lookout for warning signs.

Occasionally the symptoms of heart problems are strong and easily recognized, but more often there will be subtle warning signs. It is human nature to ignore those signs, but these are important messages that our body needs special care. The sooner we recognize those signs and get medical care the better the outcome will be.

One of the greatest concerns is heart attack. According to the American Heart Association the warning signs of a heart attack may come on rapidly or gradually and include:

• Chest discomfort or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. The sensation may also be an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or feeling of fullness.

• Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper body, such as in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath that may or may not accompany chest discomfort.

• Symptoms of breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
You do not need to have all of these symptoms; any one of them could indicate a heart attack.

It is also important to recognize that women with heart disease may never have chest pain. Women’s symptoms might include pain in the back or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting.
When these symptoms occur, medical care is required.

Timely intervention will reduce injury to the heart and improve the outcome, so do not delay in seeking help. This is just as important at night, as research has shown that when symptoms occur overnight people are more likely to wait until the next day to act.

That should never occur! Whether symptoms are noted during the day or at night the best course of action is to call 911.

And remember that prevention is the best strategy. Gender gives women some protection against heart disease, but healthy women will manage their heart health by participating in regular physical activity, avoiding second-hand smoke and regularly visiting a dentist and a physician.

Jim Smith, PT, DPT is an assistant professor in the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Utica College.