Women’s hearts are still ignored: this needs to change

Most people associate cardiovascular disease with men, and usually with older men. However, this is far from the real picture. Heart disease is also a major health concern for women, but it remains underdiagnosed and suboptimally treated in our country. One of the main reasons for this is that in many cases women may not have the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack. This can lead to symptoms being ignored or misdiagnosed as acidity, stress, fatigue or other minor health problems.

Warning signs in women

Breast pain or pressure is common in women, but they may also experience other, more subtle symptoms. This may happen suddenly or slowly.

You should pay attention to the following signs:

• Unusual shortness of breath even without much exertion.

• Abnormally excessive fatigue

• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or sweating

• Back pain or discomfort in the back, jaw, neck, shoulders or arms

• Feeling of pressure, heaviness, or restlessness in the chest.

Sometimes both women and health care providers may ignore these symptoms or dismiss them as fatigue or digestive problems, especially if there is no severe chest pain. But ongoing or atypical symptoms should never be left to self-diagnosis.

Understanding cardiovascular disease in women

The risk of cardiovascular disease may vary for women of different ages. High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol contribute to an increased risk. Smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and chronic stress can also affect heart health. Some conditions that may occur during pregnancy may also be risk factors for heart disease and should be discussed with your doctor, including high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy. Hormonal changes may also play a role. Once women reach menopause, their risk of heart disease increases as there is less protective estrogen in the body.

In addition, coronary artery disease is not always obstructive: a normal angiogram does not necessarily rule out heart disease. Since women are more likely to suffer from microvascular angina, it is important to continue testing.

It is also a serious concern that women may not seek medical attention if symptoms are atypical. During a heart attack, this delay can be fatal because every minute counts.

Steps to change the situation

Protecting your heart health doesn’t always mean making big changes to your lifestyle. Simple daily practices and regular medical checkups can make a big difference.

Here are some steps women can take:

Know your numbers: Monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.

Diet: Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, preferably a Mediterranean/DASH diet.

Be physically active: Take regular walks, exercise, or activities you enjoy to keep your heart healthy.

Quit smoking completely: This protects the heart and the rest of the body.

Don’t ignore unusual symptoms: Sudden difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, chest discomfort, or pain in the jaw, back, or arms should be evaluated immediately.

Women don’t always experience noticeable symptoms when they have heart disease. Sometimes the symptoms may not be obvious. For women to take control of their heart health, it is critical to be aware of these symptoms, understand their risk factors, and seek prompt medical attention. Women’s heart health should also receive increased attention in health care settings as their symptoms can sometimes be less obvious and early detection and prompt medical intervention can make a huge difference.

(Dr. Saurabh Juneja is the Director and Head of CTVS, Cardiology Department of ISIC Multispecialty Hospital. dr.juneja@gmail.com)