HEART ATTACKS IN WOMEN

 

Heart attack is the commonest cause of death in women after sixty five. As many women die of heart attack as men at this age. 26.8% of women die of heart disease as compared to all cancers, which is 26.7 %. Sudden grief in women often results in heart attack. I have personally seen two examples of this among my friends. Women’s symptoms of a heart attack are slightly different to men.  They are often resting as opposed to men who are active at the time. They can experience unexplained anxiety, pain in the jaw, back ache, chest discomfort, abdominal pain and even mild flu like symptoms. The reason for these include conditions such as; high blood pressure, diabetes , high (bad) cholesterol(LDL), low (good) cholesterol (HDL), smoking, and high BMI. Even more important than the BMI is abdominal girth as this indicates visceral fat that is the fat inside the body organs. The abdominal girth measured at the level of belly button, should be less than 35 inches, or 89 cms. There can be fast and irregular beating of the heart. There is swelling of the feet if there is associated heart failure. Other conditions that can cause a heart attack are HIV, depression, inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus. Cardiac arrest and aneurysm (Dilated Blood Vessel), high blood pressure during pregnancy and gestational diabetes are also risk factors for heart attacks in women. Women often ignore their symptoms if they are; having chest discomfort or pain, pain in the arm or jaw, sweating, suddenly feeling unwell or fainting. Do not ignore these symptoms. Seek urgent medical help. A dose of Aspirin can be lifesaving. Take it only after you have spoken to your medical adviser. Make sure you are not allergic to it.  For urgent diagnosis an ECG (Electronic heart monitoring) is done. Cardiac Markers are also tested in the blood, they give a good indication of what is happening. Cardiac Markers are repeated to assess the progress. An Ultrasound, chest X-ray, Coronary Angiogram or CT Coronary angiogram is performed to assess the blood vessels of the heart.  Other tests  to assess the general condition such as a full blood examination, inflammatory markers, kidney, liver, thyroid functions and blood electrolytes (Sodium, potassium) are all done. The patients are stabilized, cardiac rhythm is controlled. The final treatment depends on the findings. Either an angioplasty is performed by open heart surgery (changing the blocked blood vessels) or stents are put in the blocked blood vessels. This depends on the severity and degree of blood vessels involved. Both the procedures are very safe. Some researchers believe if early in menopausal life a women takes or given HRT, it is protective against heart attacks in later life. However one cannot be given HRT to protect repeat attacks. In summary it is good to know that, there are lots of solutions for heart attacks. Do not ignore the symptoms if they seem cardiac, as many women get heart attacks as men, after menopause. There is some protection by HRT if one has taken it at the right age, early in menopause. Improve your life style factors. Quit smoking, limited alcohol, watch weight and abdominal girth, regular exercises, cut down your stress levels and be happy. Change of life style factors will take you a long way to protect you from heart attacks.