Heart Attacks in Women

Table of Content

Heart Attack in Young and Middle-aged Women

• Heart Attacks in Young and Middle-Aged Women 

  It is not uncommon for women to ignore warning signs and dismiss them as minor inconveniences thus missing the window for effective intervention that would reduce damage to the heart. Thus, the next time young women are concerned about something, they should not brush off what is happening and go to the doctor immediately. Sometimes, heart attacks give little warning before occurring so it is important not to ignore any discomfort as a way of signaling your body is trying to get your attention. If you feel discomfort or pain in the upper part of your body, talk to your doctor.

  Why are Younger Women having Heart Attacks?  

  Lifestyle/environmental risk factors:

  1. Early presentation of traditional risk factors – Women are registering early onset of ailments that were traditionally associated with older people including diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. For example, the average cholesterol age now is much higher for the current younger generation as compared to some decades ago. Having diabetes increases your likelihood of having cardiovascular disease by 2-4x

  2. Stress – Women face much higher levels of stress as compared to men. Whether it is financial stress caused by living costs, inflation or recession, family stress brought about by your own family or the stress to have a child or social stress caused by work or pressure from society to get married, women have to bear all this alone with little or no support from their partners. The situation is worse for women as compared to men as women register higher levels of stress across all categories. Stress leads to high blood pressure which causes heart diseases.

  Gender differences in health:

  Women are much more likely to suffer from unrecognized heart disease and do not seek treatment as readily as men do. In addition, many primary care doctors do not realize that a woman is having a heart attack since the symptoms are much milder; thus, the woman does not get appropriate therapy though she is in danger. Moreover, women are much less likely than men to receive potentially life-saving treatments and to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes when they have heart disease.

  1. Inactivity and Obesity – The younger generation has become much more inactive as compared to the older generations due to the consumption of more unhealthy fast food thus putting them at higher risks of heart diseases. For example, an average Indian woman today consumes 20-40% more carbohydrates than her male counterpart which not only leads to higher risks of heart disease but also cavities which later can contribute to heart disease.

  2. Increased alcohol and tobacco consumption – Alcohol and tobacco consumption by women has become one of the major risk factors for heart diseases nowadays. One reason why women are consuming more is due to high levels of stress as discussed earlier. Tobacco and alcohol are major contributors to cardiovascular diseases. In addition, second-hand tobacco consumption is also a major cause of heart disease.

  3. Environmental pollution – Environmental pollution levels now are much higher than they were several decades ago. Pollution has become a major risk factor for heart disease especially for working women and also for women in the lower and middle classes of society.

  What can Young Women do to Protect themselves from Heart Attacks?  

  1. Regular health check-ups: It is important for modem women to be aware that self-care is significant and part of self-care is regular health check-ups. It is important for women to start screening for hypertension, diabetes, or heart diseases at the age of 35.

  2. Healthy diet: It is important to invest in a healthy diet as it is one of the best ways of ensuring that one’s health is maintained. It is important to avoid processed and sugar-laden foods and drinks as much as possible. Drinking more water is also important for one’s health. It is also important to consume healthy meals that contain a good amount of protein, fiber, and vegetables.

  3. Work-Life balance: It is important for women to find a good way of balancing between work and personal life. If work is becoming very stressing it is important to find healthy ways of dealing with stress such as having alternate activities that one can engage in regularly to help reduce tension. It is also important to know when to say no and set personal boundaries. As much as possible, it is always important to seek help from your partner when things are getting too difficult. The key thing is for women to make time for themselves to enjoy life while they still can.

  4. Maintaining a healthy BMI: It is important to maintain a healthy BMI to help reduce the risk of heart diseases. It is very important for women who are already overweight or obese to seek ways of losing weight. It is always important not to lose weight too fast and to focus on healthy ways of weight loss. It is also important to seek professional help such as from a personal trainer or a nutritionist to get help on how to maintain a healthy weight.

  5. Exercise: In addition to helping you lose weight, exercise is very important for women to maintain a strong heart. Doctors say that regular and consistent exercise decreases the likelihood of having cardiovascular diseases. It is always important to engage in exercises that are helpful in strengthening and building up your body. In addition to aerobics, it is always important to engage in strengthening exercises to improve your metabolic rate.

  6. Avoid stress, smoking, and tobacco – It is important that women avoid vices that can cause damage to the body. In case you are already addicted it is important to seek help to get rid of the addiction as soon as possible.

  7. Dental review – It is important that women get their teeth checked and maintained on a regular basis. The importance of dental hygiene is now being emphasized and it is very important that one takes care of their mouth to avoid other diseases such as heart diseases. It is important to get your teeth reviewed and cleaned regularly.

  Since heart diseases in women are not well understood; it is extremely important for women to get regular screenings done. RELA Hospital provides expert services for women to prevent heart disease and treat heart disease in Chennai.

  Frequently Asked Questions 

  Heart Attack in Young and Middle-aged Women

  How are heart attack symptoms different in women?

  Women tend to show subtle signs of a heart attack e.g. fatigue, nausea, or only some discomfort in the midst of the chest; making it easy for women to overlook them.

  What are the early warning signs women should not ignore?

  Women should never ignore unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or any discomfort in the chest or elsewhere that persists for long. Early intervention can make all the difference. A woman must get all unexplained discomfort in the upper part of her body evaluated.

  Why are heart attacks increasing in younger women?

  Due to lifestyle-related reasons such as obesity, stress, lack of exercise, and diabetes; women are increasingly prone to heart attacks at a younger age.

  Can stress really cause heart problems in women?

  Stress causes high blood pressure which can be damaging to the heart and lead to cardiovascular diseases in women.

  When should a woman go to the hospital for heart symptoms?

  If a woman has chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, or an irregular heartbeat; she should go to the hospital.

  How can women reduce their risk of heart attack?

  Women can reduce their risk of heart attack by getting regular health check-ups, eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding stress, obesity, and smoking.

  Are regular health check-ups necessary?

  Yes, regular health check-ups are essential because many diseases do not show symptoms until they are well-established. Many cardiac problems can be nipped in the bud if detected early enough, so it is essential to get regular health screenings.

  Where can women get expert cardiac care and screening?

  When it comes to heart problems, it is essential to consult with experts to get the most appropriate treatment. To ensure that women are aware of all of their heart-health options, RELA Hospital offers comprehensive cardiac screening and healthcare; including preventative screening for heart disease as well as treatment and after-care.