Leading Cause of Death For WOMEN Turns Out To Be Heart Attack and This Is How You Can Prevent It

Each year, 15,000 women under age 55 die from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for women overall. Younger women are twice as likely to die after being hospitalized for a heart attack as men in the same age group. So why aren’t women rushing to the emergency room at the first sign of trouble? It turns out, the first signs often don’t resemble what many of us associate with heart attacks at all.

Credit:alldaylonghealth.com

It’s not only important for women to know the unusual sign so they can get to a doctor fast, but so they can advocate for themselves once they’re there. “Doctors typically underestimate these symptoms in women too,” Korah says. “They tend to send men with the same symptoms for evaluation, but for women we tend to just wait and watch.” To make sure you’re getting the right treatment, remember that any of these vague symptoms can signify heart trouble:“In addition to the typical chest pain and pressure that goes with a heart attack, women notice a lot of atypical symptoms,” says Veena Korah, a One Medical doctor in Chicago. These can include everything from shortness of breath and indigestion to nausea and a general sense of dread. “They usually attribute these symptoms to other causes like arthritis, heartburn, or anxiety, and they just don’t seek care.”

• Nausea, cold sweat, lightheadedness

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, stomach

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain or discomfort is still the most common symptom, but women are more likely to experience some of the symptoms above

“For some women, the signs of a heart attack may be mild and less specific,” adds Saya Akkad, a One Medical doctor in San Francisco. “But even though women may endure less severe signs of a heart attack, the consequences remain significant. Even mild heart attacks can cause tissue damage that can then lead to additional health problems down the road.”

Why women are ignoring the signs

Aside from misinformation around signs and symptoms, Korah says gender roles also influence the ways women get care — or don’t. “Women tend to deal with symptoms longer because we’re usually caregivers and are worried more about other people before ourselves,” she says. “So they wait to see the doctor until later when heart disease has gotten worse.”

How to lower your risk

Practicing proper self-care is an important part of prevention. In addition to being educated about the unique signs and symptoms of heart attacks in women, regular check-ups and routine tests are crucial. Be open and honest with your provider and make sure he or she knows if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, all of which can influence your risk. “I encourage all women to speak to their primary care doctor about their risk factors for heart disease and what steps they can take to lower that risk,” Akkad says.

Lifestyle changes can make a big impact too. If you’re a smoker, stop now—research shows that coronary heart disease risk is cut by about 50 percent just one year after quitting. Pick up an exercise habit if you haven’t already; just 30 minutes of a walking a day can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke. And if your diet could use some cleaning up, work with a nutritionist to create a heart-healthy, sustainable food plan.