Heart Problems in Women

Heart attacks are the prime cause of deaths all over the world. Although men are believed to be at more risk of heart attacks than women, women are less likely to survive a heart attack. In fact, every year more number of women die of a heart attack than men. Heart attack is the number one killer amongst women. The number of victims of heart attack alone are more than that of victims of all cancers put together. There are various causes which lead to heart problems in women. Let us have a look at the symptoms and causes of these diseases in women. We have also provided some heart disease prevention tips at the end of the article.

Causes of Heart Problems in Women

Heart problems develop at a later stage in a woman's life. After 65 years of age, women have the same risk of developing heart diseases as men. Causes of heart problems in older women are usually same as men. These include:

• Obesity
• Hypertension
• High LDL
• Low HDL
• Low estrogen levels
• Drinking
• Smoking
• Lack of exercises
• Poor diet
• Ignorance
• Diabetes
• Stress

Post menopausal women are more at a risk of heart attack, due to low estrogen levels in their bodies. Certain other surgeries such as hysterectomy, and oophorectomy may also lead to loss of estrogen. An unhealthy lifestyle can be considered as the number one cause of heart attack amongst men and women. Women are generally ignorant about their health and tend to underestimate the symptoms of a problem. Besides, smoking, drinking and stressful lifestyle takes its toll on women's health, leading to heart problems.

Some Warning Signs

Symptoms of heart diseases in women over 50 or even less are different from the peculiar symptoms of heart attack experienced by men. This probably is the reason why early signs of heart problems often go unnoticed. Some women may even mistake these heart problem symptoms for menopause symptoms or any other disorder. Typical symptoms of heart disease in women include:

• Anxiety or unexplained fear
• Palpitations
• Breathlessness
• Clammy hands and feet
• Dizziness
• Heaviness in chest
• Sharp pain in shoulder, neck, jaw
• Nausea, vomiting
• Indigestion

Women should look out for these warning signs, because the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the better chances of survival a woman has. The first hour after a heart attack is especially crucial as your survival chances primarily depend upon the treatment you receive at this hour.

Precautions and Treatment

Heart ailments in women can only be resolved by proper care and treatment. Early detection of problems is imperative to avoid further complications. Women who are over 45 years of age should screen themselves for hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, etc. Obese women below 40 years should also screen themselves for above conditions as they are at elevated risk of developing heart diseases. A woman should take measures to protect her heart from young age itself. Smoking and drinking should be controlled, if you cannot give it up completely. If you quit smoking you can substantially cut down your risk of heart diseases in two years. Eating healthy and exercising regularly are the ultimate ways of overcoming heart problems. Remember, a woman's smaller heart is more prone to damage than a man's heart, hence you should be more careful about your health. Lastly, call emergency services immediately if you experience any of the above mentioned signs of heart attack.

Thus, heart problems in women can be definitely kept in check by taking certain precautions. A healthy lifestyle goes a long way in restoring your good health. So, stay healthy and take good care of yourself.