Be Aware of Specific Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death among women, often presenting with symptoms that differ subtly from those experienced by men. Despite men having a 3-4 times higher incidence, women make up the majority of CVD patients. On average, CVD tends to develop 10 years later in women, yet they experience a higher mortality rate (51% versus 42%).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) exhibits notable differences between men and women, encompassing aspects such as symptom presentation, risk factors, treatment approaches, and treatment responses. Dr. Srichandran L, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist in the Department of Cardiology at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, elaborated on these variations in an interview with HT Lifestyle: "While chest pain is a shared symptom, women may also report discomfort in the neck, jaw, or upper back, alongside symptoms like shortness of breath, arm pain, nausea, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, or heartburn. Women might experience more frequent symptoms at rest or during stressful situations, possibly due to smaller artery blockages that cause non-cardiac pain symptoms."

Dr. Srichandran L highlighted several factors that contribute to heart disease risk in women:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Early or late menarche.
• Migraine during adolescence.
• Reproductive disorders during youth, such as PCOD.
• Early menopause.
• Presence of other diseases more common in women, like rheumatic arthritis and thyroid disorders.

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Emphasizing the importance of seeking immediate medical help for heart attack symptoms, Dr. Srichandran L also pointed out specific risk factors for women: diabetes, emotional stress, smoking, physical inactivity, menopause, pregnancy complications, family history of heart disease, and inflammatory diseases.

He underscored the significance of lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, limiting alcohol consumption, and adhering to treatment plans. Dr. Srichandran L also mentioned that home remedies like herbal teas (e.g., green tea, hibiscus tea), relaxation techniques (such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation), and dietary supplements like omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can support heart health. Additionally, he recommended self-care practices such as meditation, yoga, maintaining regular physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being, thereby aiding in the prevention of heart disease.