Heart disease is traditionally thought of as a man’s disease, but it is actually one of the most common causes of death in women worldwide. The symptoms and risks of heart disease in women are different from those of men, so it is important for women to be aware of this. According to a study named Global Burden of Disease Study, heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death among Indian women. About 18 percent of Indian women die due to heart related problems. This figure is more than the combined figures of breast cancer and other cancers. According to the report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the problem of coronary artery disease, i.e. the problem of limited blood flow in the arteries of the heart, in Indian women is between 3 to 13 percent in women of different age groups. This problem has increased by 300 percent in the last two decades. The average age of heart attack in Indian women is 59 years, which is much lower than other developed countries. These figures indicate that Indian women should still be cautious about their heart health otherwise the situation will become serious.
Understand the condition of your heart
Heart disease includes many cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), congenital heart defects, and heart failure. These diseases manifest different symptoms in women than in men. Although the common symptom of heart disease is chest pain, but women feel nausea, difficulty in breathing and fatigue when they have heart disease. Due to this difference, heart disease in women is often underdiagnosed and treatment is delayed.
What are the different reasons?
Menopause: Menopause does not cause heart diseases. However, some risk factors increase during this period. A high-fat diet, smoking or other unhealthy habits consumed earlier in life can damage the heart. Decrease in the amount of natural hormone estrogen after menopause is a major cause of heart disease in women. It is believed that the estrogen hormone positively affects the inner layer of the heart wall and helps make the blood vessels flexible. Women who have never had a child or have had early menopause are more likely to suffer from heart failure.
• Pregnancy-related problems: Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia increase the risk of heart disease later in life. It is important to be cautious about heart health in cases of complications in pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, such symptoms emerge as in heart failure and there is a delay in identifying the disease. However, it is rare for women to have heart failure in the months before delivery or a few months after delivery. Women who have had repeated miscarriages (including those with high homocysteine levels) have a higher risk of heart failure.
• Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease in women compared to men. Over time, high blood sugar (high blood glucose) caused by diabetes can damage your blood vessels and nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Women aged 30 to 60 suffering from diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from heart failure as men in this age group. Women suffering from diabetes often do not recognize the symptoms of heart failure, because the symptoms are hidden due to treatment. In such a situation, by the time women reach the doctor, it is too late.
prevention is prevention
Women can prevent heart disease by taking precautions. The causes of heart disease can be significantly reduced by a healthy lifestyle. In such a situation, it is very important to be aware of the risks of heart disease and measures to avoid them:
• Balanced and nutritious diet: A healthy diet is most important for heart health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats keeps cholesterol under control, thereby protecting against heart disease.
• Regular exercise: Exercise plays a key role in the prevention of heart disease. Exercise not only strengthens the heart but also increases blood circulation in the body. This reduces blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and keeps weight under control.
• Stress management: To avoid heart disease, it is important to control stress. Constant stress increases blood pressure and to overcome it, avoid habits like overeating, smoking or alcohol consumption, which are harmful for heart health. To relieve stress, instead of consuming tea, coffee, smoking or alcohol, do meditation, yoga or pranayam.
• Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol: It is very important to keep an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol to avoid heart disease. High blood pressure is a silent killer, which significantly increases the risk of heart disease without causing any symptoms.
• Keep your weight under control: Keeping your weight under control is an easy way to avoid heart disease. Overweight and obesity increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
• Regular health checkups: Heart disease can be prevented with timely diagnosis. Women should visit the doctor regularly and get their blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar along with body mass index (BMI) checked.
• Pay attention to hormonal changes: Be aware of hormonal changes and their effects on the heart. After menopause, estrogen decreases in the body of women, due to which the risk of heart disease increases.