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High blood pressure is cause for concern
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor for not only coronary heart disease, but also stroke, heart failure and premature death says Dr Singh. “Hypertensive heart disease is more common in women – two to three times more than men, and the risk increases as you get older. Moreover, it is often under-diagnosed and therefore left untreated as it is asymptomatic.”
Hormones also play a role
“Low levels of oestrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels (coronary microvascular disease),” stresses Dr Singh. Coronary heart disease occurs when the supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the blood vessels become clogged due to a build-up of fat, cholesterol and plaques. Oestrogen can help regulate cholesterol levels, so when menopause hinders your body from producing enough of the hormone, bad cholesterol can accumulate and block blood vessels. Lowering cholesterol and saturated fats in your diet and eliminating trans fats can help. Talk to your GP for additional advice.
Fit women are still at risk
While staying active and physically fit can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, it doesn’t mean you’re immune. Due to the long list of aforementioned causes, “you can be super fit and still have risk factors, which are in themselves often asymptomatic,” says Dr Singh.
The hard-to-recognise symptoms
That heart-clutching symptom many people badociate with a heart attack isn’t necessarily what women experience. “The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain (which can be subtle), pressure or discomfort in the chest,” says Dr Singh. But, “It might not always be severe or the crushing type of pain that is often described and experienced by men. Sometimes a heart attack can happen in the absence of any chest pain,” says Dr Singh.
“Women can have non-specific symptoms that are different from those that occur in men,” she says, adding that they often present much later in the course of the disease process.
Dr Singh lists some non-specific symptoms as:
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in one or both arms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Unusual fatigue
Recognising the signs and seeking urgent care could save your life. The longer you leave heart conditions untreated, the more damage is done to the heart muscle.
Talk to your doctor
Heart disease is responsible for one in eight premature deaths in women[3]. And yet Heart Foundation research suggests only 27 per cent of women speak to their GP about heart disease[4]. Women over 45 should talk to their doctor about getting regular heart health checks; or, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, these discussions should begin as early as 35 years old.
“As you can have risk factors that you may not be aware of, it is advisable to see your local GP for a heart screening,” says Dr Singh. “Once your risk is calculated – depending on your risk profile – your GP will offer advice on lifestyle changes and possible interventions such as medication or referral for further investigations.” Heart screenings involve blood tests, checking blood pressure and discussing family medical history as well as lifestyle habits with your doctor.
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