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The INDEPENDENT, May 2, 2012
To Your Health!
By Judy Hargis, P.A
Women and Heart Disease —
The Silent Killer
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the
United States. An estimated 42 million American women live
with some form of heart disease. More women than men die
from a heart attack each year. More than 200,000 women
die each year from heart attacks. This is five times as many
women, as those who die from breast cancer.
Women have had a false sense of security regarding
heart disease, often believing it was a disease that affected primarily men. There
has been tremendous energy and research into breast cancer, which has made a
big impact on diagnosis and treatment. We have just begun to understand the im-
plications of heart disease on women.
Heart disease develops differently in women than men. Plaques build up in the
coronary arteries differently in women than men. These plaques can lead to coro-
nary artery blockage and, ultimately, to heart attack. Plaques tend to be clumpy in
men, but can build up as an evenly spread layer along an artery. Men tend to de-
velop large vessel disease, while women tend to develop small vessel disease.
This tends to affect both the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease
(CAD) in women. In the early stages, even angiograms can miss developing heart
disease, and angioplasty and stents often aren’t effective treatments in women. In
some cases, treatment with medication may be a better choice in some women.
Symptoms of a heart attack can be much more subtle in women, or even silent.
Women are more likely to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain and can include
any of the following:
• Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
This is in contrast to the pressure and crushing chest pain men often experience
with a heart attack. Risk factors for heart disease in women include metabolic syn-
drome, mental stress and depression, smoking, and low levels of estrogen after
menopause which can lead to small vessel disease. Metabolic disease is especial-
ly important to recognize. Women with hypertension, diabetes, high trigylcerides
and increased fat around the abdomen are at especially high risk for coronary ar-
tery disease (CAD). Mental stress and depression appear to have a direct impact
on the heart in women.
Heart disease is preventable. Prevention includes a healthy diet, regular exer-
cise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco use. Recent research has
shown that, not only is heart disease preventable, but it can be improved when
healthy lifestyle changes are made, along with treatment.
If you believe that you are
having a heart attack. Call 911
immediately. It is critical to get
immediate evaluation and
treatment. In the meantime
know your risk and strive to
live a healthy lifestyle. Talk to
your primary care provider to
assess your risk for heart dis-
ease.
Resources for the reader:
• American Heart Associa-
tion: www.aha.org
• WebMD: www.webmd.org
• National Coalition for
Women and heart Disease:
503-901-1705
www.womenheart.org .
Columbia County
Mental Health
800-294-5211
Domestic Abuse
-----------------
Suicide Hotline
or
Hotline
503-397-6161
866-397-6161
1-800-
784-2433
or
Military Helpline
1-800-273-
TALK(8255)
(888-457-4838)
-----------------
888-HLP-4-VET