Not understanding this risk makes women less alert to the warning signs and less aware about the preventive measures they need to take. Lack of knowledge about symptoms of heart attack, for example, makes women slower than men to seek emergency care.
All women need to know the facts about heart attack and stroke so they can take control of your health.
Did you know ...
- Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability among women.
- Almost twice as many women die from heart disease or stroke than from forms of breast and ovarian cancer combined.
While men and women share many of the same risks for heart disease or stroke (hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity), women have some special concerns.
Smoking and oral contraceptives: Smoking is a well-known risk to your heart. What is less well known is that the combination of smoking and oral contraceptives is doubly dangerous. If you are a smoker and have used oral contraceptives, your risk of heart attack or stroke is even higher than that of most smokers.
Estrogen's role: For awhile, it seemed the hormone estrogen protected women against heart disease. No longer. The research is inconclusive at best. Experts now feel that prescribing estrogen simply to help ward off heart disease is not a good idea. It's worth having a serious discussion about this treatment with your doctor.
Women's Symptoms
Women and men experience a number of the same symptoms of heart attack. But some symptoms appear to be for women only, and these are frequently overlooked. Unisex signs of heart attack include:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain in the arm.
- Tightness in the chest.
Women's symptoms include:
- Nausea.
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness.
If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Heart-Healthy Diets
What kind of diet should you follow to reduce the risk of heart disease? A "prudent diet," of course. Prudent is what health experts call a diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains. A recent study found that women following a prudent diet were 25 percent less likely to develop heart disease than women who ate what they called the "Western diet" of red meat, processed foods, refined grains, sweets, high-fat dairy products, and French fries.
It takes planning and willpower to eat prudently. But the evidence shows that the effort is worthwhile.
The information provided is intended to help you make informed decisions. The Genworth Financial companies do not provide medical information, advice or recommendations. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Please note that Wellness partners, their products, services, and offers may change over time.
