Cardiovascular News

Women's Heart Health

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 cause of death of American women. Heart disease kills more women than cancer, AIDS, domestic violence, or stroke. More women than men die of heart disease each year. Yet women make up only 25% of participants in all heart-related research studies.

You may be surprised by these facts. Maybe it's because many people still view heart disease as a "man's disease." The risk of heart disease for women is real. And Nancy Loving – a heart attack survivor and co-founder of WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease – is leading the charge for women's heart health. She firmly believes that awareness, education, and advocacy can save lives.

"Women have to be their own best advocates," Loving says. "They need to ask questions and be comfortable with their treatment plans." LifeBeat Online has included questions that you can use to begin a discussion about heart disease with your healthcare provider.

Do the warning signs and risk factors for heart disease differ for men and women?
How will menopause affect my risk of heart disease?
Which tests are used to diagnose heart disease? Which are more accurate for women?
What medicines and devices are available to treat my heart condition?

Surprisingly, women often don't ask these questions. And they do not always realize that heart attack symptoms can be different for women. Symptoms often include chest pain but can also be limited to:

Breathlessness – often without chest pain
Flu-like symptoms (nausea or clamminess)
Unexplained fatigue
Dizziness or weakness
Pressure in the upper back, shoulders, neck, or jaw
Feelings of anxiety or loss of appetite

It is important to open the lines of communication so that you and your doctor are aware of any changes in your body. Always ask your doctor any questions that you might have about heart disease signs and symptoms.

Taking Charge

In WomenHeart's first national survey of women heart patients, more than half (52%) were dissatisfied with some aspect of their healthcare. Among these women, the biggest issue was physician communication style. In the same survey, over half of the women said they had suffered clinical depression and anxiety as a result of their heart disease. "Women need to understand that depression and anxiety are common problems associated with heart disease and that they are treatable," Loving says. "There's no need to suffer."

She also wants women to take charge of their heart health. She says, "Women have to educate themselves and know their treatment options. They have the right to competent and compassionate physicians who understand women's heart health. And if they're not getting the answers they need, they need to move on to a new doctor. They need to know they have that choice."

This advice was echoed in the survey when women were asked what advice they had for other women with heart disease. The most popular advice included:

Educate yourself and ask questions
Find doctors who are attentive, understanding, and knowledgeable about heart disease in women – and listen to their advice
Listen to your body and don't ignore your symptoms

Note: Individual symptoms, situations, and circumstances may vary. Please consult your physician or qualified health provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment. The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice.

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Women's Heart Health