Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women – here’s what you need to know

The heart is the engine of the body. It moves blood that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your entire body to muscles and organs. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), your heart beats over 100,000 times and pumps 2,000 gallons of blood a day, working harder than any other muscle in your body.

When your heart isn’t working well, it affects all of your body’s systems. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting it as the leading cause of death of one in every four women.

What is heart disease?

Simply put, heart disease is any condition that affects the heart muscle and structure, blood vessels or electrical system. It extends from the heart to the arteries, which transport blood away from your heart, and veins which return the blood to your heart. It includes conditions such as heart attacks, atrial fibrillation and stroke.

Christina Salazar, MD

“Everybody, regardless of gender, can be at risk for heart disease,” said Christina Salazar, MD, a cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. “Women have similar heart problems to men, but they can present differently, which can lead to different outcomes and longer diagnosis times.”

Because heart disease can present differently in men and women, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of a cardiac episode and know when and where to seek help.

“Women shouldn’t forget that they are more likely to die from heart disease,” said Dr. Salazar. “They need to be aware of what heart disease is and know the signs and symptoms.”

Common symptoms of heart disease include:

• Discomfort or pain or pressure in your chest
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Leg swelling
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath

“Just like anyone, women should look out for chest discomfort that radiates to the arm, neck, jaw or back that happens at rest or with exertion,” said Dr. Salazar. “The most common symptom in women is chest discomfort, pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness. However, women are more likely than men to present with shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheadedness and fatigue.”

If you have a sudden onset of chest pain that does not go away, you’re struggling to breathe or pass out, go straight to the emergency department.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease can be caused by a multitude of lifestyle choices or medical conditions including:

• Congenital heart issues
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Low or no exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Unhealthy diet

Women who have had a history of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and hypertension are also at increased risk of developing heart disease.

Diagnosing heart disease can begin with your primary care provider. Routine physicals and tests are an easy way to address any concerns or symptoms and check the status of your heart.

Lowering your risk

Heart disease is common and preventable. Taking small steps and implementing lifestyle changes can lower your risk of developing heart disease or catching it early. It’s important to lower stress, eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise and undergo routine screenings. Dr. Salazar said that one key to improving your heart health is about finding little ways to make the things you love even healthier. Making small changes to your lifestyle can make it easier to stick to them.

Stress

Stress can increase strain on your heart by causing elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Whether it’s emotional or work-related, all types of stress can cause symptoms that affect your quality of life. The best way to reduce stress on the heart is to make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercise, water and eating a balanced diet.

“We know that what we eat or drink and how much sleep or exercise we get can lower blood pressure and heart rate,” said Dr. Salazar. “Stress can manifest due to a lot of different things or reasons, and taking care of our body can allow us to eliminate or determine the root cause. Sometimes you can’t resolve stress through lifestyle changes and that is okay. In those cases, that is when intervention from your primary care provider or a mental health provider is needed.”

Diet

Eating a balanced diet is a key factor in lowering your risks. Things like your intake of saturated fats or sodium and alcohol consumption can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Excess saturated fats can increase your body’s cholesterol, while excess sodium can raise your blood pressure. The key to a balanced diet is everything in moderation. Eating a heart-healthy diet does not mean you can’t have the treats or meals you love. Making simple swaps, such as eating whole-grain bread or pasta, or increasing your fruit and veggies, is a great place to start.

“Change can be hard, especially when it comes to diet,” said Dr. Salazar. “Your primary care provider can help you identify what changes would benefit your health and how to implement them.”

Exercise

Your heart is a muscle. Lowering stress and a balanced diet impact the strain your heart experiences while pumping blood. Think of it like choosing a pair of sneakers as opposed to heels for a long walk or hike. They help set your heart up for success.

Exercise is like strength training for your heart. It allows your body to increase blood flow and helps your heart work better and stronger. To strengthen your heart, it is recommended that you do 30 minutes of moderate activity daily or 150 minutes weekly.

“Moderate exercise can be any exercise where you can talk but maintain an elevated heart rate,” said Dr. Salazar. “For someone who has a high level of activity, walking may not be enough. They may need to walk faster, jog or run. Other great moderate exercises would be biking and swimming.”

What can I do today?

Everyone’s heart is different, and it is important to have your heart tested each year. Routine bloodwork can assess risk factors for heart disease before symptoms appear by analyzing your cells and platelet count, as well as the other chemical factors of your blood.

No matter your age, it is important to care for your heart. According to Dr. Salazar, heart disease occurs over a period of time and when caught early enough, it can be successfully managed or repaired. Working closely with your primary care provider to routinely screen and monitor your heart health and combining that with lifestyle changes is the best way to lower your risk of developing heart disease.

“Women, regardless of age, should screen for risk factors related to heart disease,” said Dr. Salazar. “The team at Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence understands the importance of women receiving and having access to care and we want them to feel comfortable and confident when it comes to their heart health.”