There are over six and a half million women who have heart disease in America. Heart disease which leads to heart attacks is one of the leading causes of death among women over fifty. Heart attacks kill six times more women than breast cancer every year. So how can you reduce the risk of a heart attack if you are a woman over fifty years of age?
Follow these few simple steps:
Recognize The Symptoms: Most women experience one or more of the following symptoms at least a month before a heart attack: Unusual fatigue, muscle weakness, indigestion problems, anxiety, cold sweats, unable to breath properly, sleep disturbances, heart racing or palpitations, nausea, dizziness and a hot flushes. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak with a doctor soon. It may be nothing or it could be a sign your heart is under a lot of strain.
Menopause Can Increase The Risk Of Heart Attack: Estrogen helps protect the heart as it balances out the cholesterol levels. After menopause women’s levels of good cholesterol drop and bad cholesterol increases. Women also experience elevated triglycerides levels which increases the risk of heart attack significantly. Once a woman reaches the age of sixty five, the risk of death from a heart attack is much higher.
Diabetes Is A Contributing Factor: Diabetes combined with obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension can significantly increase the risk of heart attack in women over fifty. Diabetes doubles the risk of a women suffering from more than one heart attack during her lifetime.
Metabolic Syndrome: Research from Harvard Medical School suggests that women who have metabolic syndrome are more prone to having a heart attack. What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome? A large waist, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, elevated levels of bad cholesterol and high triglycerides. Speak with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Smoking: Females that smoke are twice as likely to have a heart attack over women who don’t. It is a well-known fact; smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, cancer and heart disease.
It is important to know, most women don’t experience crushing chest pain before a heart attack. Pain in the neck, shoulders and abdominal areas are more common. We hope you have found this article informative and understand more about heart attack risks in women over the age of fifty.