Women and Heart Disease

A Woman's Heart

Heart disease and stroke is the #1 cause of death for Canadian women, causing four out of every ten deaths. Eight times more women die from heart disease and stroke than from breast cancer. In fact, more women die from heart disease than from all forms of cancer combined. Almost as many women die from heart disease and stroke each year as men.

Women's experiences with heart disease can differ from men's:

• Signs and symptoms of heart attack can be different.
• Women may be more likely to experience "atypical" symptoms such as vague chest discomfort
• Some risk factors such as hormones and diabetes can significantly increase the risk of heart attack among women.
• Some diagnostic tests and treatments for heart attack may not work as well on women.
• In the past, heart disease among women was not treated as aggressively as men and fewer women were referred for treatments such as bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty following a heart attack.

Know the warning signs and take action fast!
Learn the symptoms of heart disease. Learn the signs of heart attack. They are different.

Early warning signs of heart disease in women
If you experience any of these feelings, seek medical advice.

• Pain or discomfort in the chest that comes on with physical activity and goes away with rest
• Shortness of breath, breathlessness, or unusual tiredness with physical activity
• Physical activities that used to be easy or normal have become difficult

Warning signs of heart attack in women
If you experience any of these feelings, tell someone right away or call for emergency help.

• Vague chest tightness, discomfort, pain or a crushing radiating chest pain
• Heaviness, pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning or pain that may begin in the center of the chest and spread to the neck, jaws, and shoulder
• Unusual pain that spreads down one or both arms
• Shortness of breath, paleness, sweating or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting and/or indigestion
• Feelings of extreme anxiety, fear and/or denial

Medical Terms You Should Know…

Angina - This is a medical term for chest pain due to coronary artery disease. The usual symptom of angina is pressure, squeezing or tightness in the chest that may spread t the neck, jaws or arms.

Cholesterol - Cholesterol is a group of blood fats. It includes LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for heart attack and indirectly increases your risk of stroke. Research has shown that low levels of HDL appear to be a stronger risk factor for women than men. It is important to have your total and HDL cholesterol levels checked.

Diabetes - This is a disease that makes it difficult for the body to process sugar properly. Diabetes affects more women than men, and diabetic women have double the risk of heart attack.

Myocardial Infarction - (Heart Attack) A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is cut off. If the blood flow to the heart is not restored, that part of the heart will die, causing disability or death.

Heart Disease - Heart disease is a general term that relates to many heart conditions. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle are narrowed or blocked. This can lead to angina or heart attack.

Hypertension - (High Blood Pressure) High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and the most important risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessel walls. It causes the heart to work harder than normal, and weakens it. Since high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, the only way to find out if you have it is to have your blood pressure checked. If untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke and/or heart disease.

Stroke - Stroke is a brain attack. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. If the blood flow to the brain is not restored, that part of the brain will die, causing disability or death.

Transient Ischemic Attack - (TIA or Mini Stroke) TIA is a very small stroke that is caused by a temporary blocked blood vessel and leaves no permanent brain damage. A TIA is a warning that there is something seriously wrong with the blood flow to the brain and that you are at risk of having a full-blown stroke.

For more information about heart disease and stroke, contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation. They can provide you with information and/or programs on:

• CPR
• High Blood Pressure
• Nutrition
• Active Living
• Rehabilitation
• Smoking
• Stress

Reproduced from a Heart Smart Brochure © The Heart and Stroke Foundation
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

Some other pertinent links:

http://www.strokecenter.org/

http://www.ahaf.org/hrtstrok/about/hsabout.htm

http://www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/aha.html