Women and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know Douglas Wright, RN BSN CFRN

Risk Factors for Women Diabetes – women are at a greater risk for heart disease than men with diabetes. Smoking in women is a greater risk factor for women over men. Menopause – low estrogen after menopause poses a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels (Coronary Microvascular Disease). Broken Heart Syndrome – brought on by stressful situations and can be severe, but is usually temporary heart muscle failure. Mayoclinic.org

Pregnancy Complications & Heart Disease High blood pressure and/or diabetes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s long term risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Some research has found that if you had pregnancy complications such as those listed above, your children may be at a greater risk for these as well. Mayoclinic.org

Menopause & Heart Disease An overall increase in heart attacks among women is seen about 10 years after menopause. Estrogen is believed to have a positive effect on the inner layer of the artery walls helping to keep the blood vessels flexible. Despite the benefit of estrogen, the American Heart Association recommends against using post-menopausal hormone therapy to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke because some studies have shown to have no reduced risk. Heart.org/HEARTORG

https://www. cdc. gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_women_heart https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_women_heart.htm

Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women Shortness of breath with or without chest pain. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and then comes back. Cold sweats, nausea, or light-headedness. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and/or back or jaw pain more so than men. Heart.org/HEARTORG

Did You Know? After one year of quitting smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease is cut by 50%. A common complaint by women having a heart attack is, “I thought I had the flu.” Heart.org/HEARTORG

What Women Can Do to Limit the Risk of Heart Disease Quit or do not start smoking! Exercise regularly for about 30 minutes a day, five (5) days a week Maintain a healthy weight Eat a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats Avoid saturated or trans fats, high amounts of sugar, and high salt content Mayoclinic.org

Interesting tidbits According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an estimated 1 in 4 women die from heart disease. Breast cancer is the cause for only 1 in 30 women. More women die of heart disease and strokes than all cancers combined. According to the American Heart Association’s Scientific Session 2017, women are less likely than men to receive CPR in public during cardiac arrest. Data show that 45% of men received CPR in public compared to only 39% of women. That led to a 23% greater chance of survival for men than women after being discharged from the hospital according to the American Hospital Association. According to Audrey Blewer MPH, the study’s lead author, “CPR involves pushing on the chest so that could make people less certain whether they can or should do CPR in public for women.” Womenshealthmag.com

Thank you! Questions?