Reproductive Mental Health Heart Health Conditions Diseases Store Donate Share With Us Miscellaneous
Subscribe
Heart Attack In Women And Menopause
The most common signs of a heart attack for women include shortness of breath, overall weakness, and unexplained fatigue.
Women who are going through menopause usually state that their biggest health concern is developing breast cancer, but what most of them don't know is that the most common cause of death for women over the age of 50 is actually heart disease, something that's historically associated more so with men.
Before the onset of menopause women have statistically had lower instances of heart attacks than their male counterparts. However after 50, heart attacks and strokes in females are nearly as common, or even more common, after the age of 65 than in males making it imperative for the menopausal women to protect herself and be educated about important matters of the heart.
Recognizing the Signs of a Heart Attack in Women
Women tend to have more risk factors than man when it comes to heart attacks and CVD such as smoking, being overweight, or having high cholesterol or diabetes. And, what's even more dangerous is that women also tend to ignore the warning signs of a heart attack, dismissing their symptoms for something else, or they simply aren’t aware of what they should be looking for.
The facts are that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for the deaths of more females than breast cancer, diabetes, and accidents all combined.
The most common signs of a heart attack for women include shortness of breath, overall weakness, and unexplained fatigue. Some women also report experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, discomfort in the lower region of the chest, nausea and vomiting, pain in the upper back, or pain and pressure in the abdomen that often mimics the signs of indigestion.
In men, heart attack symptoms are usually a squeezing feeling or pain with pressure in the chest sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath and sweating. However, most women do not experience these same telltale signs and instead tend to have atypical symptoms like back or arm pain that may not necessarily be associated with heart attacks.
Give Me 13.5 Minutes & I Guarantee To Show You How To Control Raging Hormones, Put A Stop To Hot Flashes & Finally Enjoy Undisturbed Sleep.Click Here To Learn More.........
When too much of the heart muscle is damaged, heat failure is inevitable.
For women, especially those who are nearing or already in menopause, the symptoms of a heart attack are inherently different than they are for men, making it absolutely imperative for every woman to recognize and know the critical warning signs of a heart attack.
Some women even seek out medical care only to be initially misdiagnosed in the emergency room until their symptoms persist, which can be rather dangerous considering the more time that passes before treatment is administered the more likely it is that permanent damage will be done to the heart.
When too much of the heart muscle is damaged, heat failure is inevitable.
Because you know your body better than anyone else, it's up to you to be diligent about recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and insisting upon the necessary medical care. If you think you may be suffering from a heart attack, getting to the hospital as soon as possible for an immediate evaluation is imperative. Oxygen may be needed as well as having a blood count and electrocardiogram done along with taking an aspirin to help thin the blood.
Taking a proactive approach is the absolute best way of protecting yourself from heart disease and heart attacks. Find out which hospitals and medical facilities in your immediate area specialize in matters of the heart so you will already know where to go should the need ever arise. You should also have an open line of communication with your doctor during menopause and ask questions regarding your risk of heart attack and what changes you could be making to lower that risk significantly.
Safeguarding Your Health
Some early scientific studies on the subject suggested that for menopausal women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT), may be one way of effectively warding off heart disease. But, new research suggests the exact opposite and now the American Heart Association does not recommend PHT for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, so consulting with your own doctor who can better assess your individual risk is the best way of safeguarding your health.
Without any type of medical treatment, maintaining a healthy weight and following a healthy diet, avoiding cigarette smoke, and getting enough exercise are all simple but effective lifestyle changes and choices that can have a profound impact on whether your not a heart attack is in your future.