Women and Heart Disease

At first I thought about posting a case about the flu but this case is more life-threatening...

I recently saw a pleasant 60 year old female who presented with the complaint of nausea. She also stated that she was getting more winded for the past couple of weeks. She denied any chest pain. Her medical history included tobacco use, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol. An ECG was performed which revealed "changes" and she was promptly sent to the emergency room. She was found to have heart disease and underwent cardiac catherization which revealed multiple blockages. The patient was treated and is doing well today.

This case illustrates the importance of understanding heart disease in women. Heart disease is the LEADING cause of death in women over 65 years of age. Almost half a million women die each year due to heart disease. Another surprising statistic is that heart disease kills more women over 65 than do all cancers combined. WOW!!!!

The most common symptom is chest pain, but in my experience (and from peers), they can present with "not" typical findings such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, upper back pain, and shortness of breath. The risk factors include high blood pressure, Diabetes, family history, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, post-menopause, and mental stress.

How do we stop heart disease????
First if you smoke...QUIT!!! More than half of heart attacks in women under 50 are associated with smoking.
Exercise...30-60 minutes per day five times a week. Also walk 10,000 steps per day.
Eat Healthy...Low fat, low cholesterol, low salt (watch the ketchcup).
Keep a healthy weight!!! Know your BMI (Body Mass Index). 25 or less is good.
Take your medications as instructed.
Please know that Hypertension (high blood pressure) is silent but potentially deadly so please, please, please take the medications!

If you have any risk factors or heart disease, please talk with your physician and develop a plan. Many of the factors are reversible or controllable such as smoking and obesity so talk with your primary physician.

I hope this increases awareness of heart disease in women. There are many useful websites such as the American Heart Association and FamilyDoctor.org.