Women's Heart Health
Friday, February 3rd, 2023 is National Wear Red Day. Dressing in red on this day is a great way to support women’s heart health awareness. While heart disease is most often associated with men, it is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
The Go Red For Women initiative aims to educate the public about women's heart health risks and how to lower them. Women have different symptoms, causes and outcomes than men do when it comes to heart disease. Being aware of all the facts can mean the difference between life and death.
Women’s Heart Health Facts
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both women and men
400,000 women –or 1 in 5– die of heart disease in the US annually
Women who have heart attacks are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders
45% of women don’t know that heart disease is their biggest health risk
Women are less likely to call 911 when experiencing heart attack symptoms
40% of women do not experience chest pain during a heart attack
Women are less likely than men to receive heart medications
40% of women don’t have their heart health assessed during annual physicals
Women are less likely to be referred for cardiac rehab following a heart attack
There is not enough research being done on women’s heart disease
The Covid-19 Pandemic has increased the number of cardiovascular deaths
Women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with heart disease
A woman dies of heart disease in the US every minute
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Smoking
Being physically inactive
An unhealthy diet
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Being overweight or obese
Diabetes
Drinking too much alcohol
Depression and mental health issues
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Call 911, Get to a Hospital
Neck, throat or jaw pain or discomfort
Nausea
Lightheadedness
Breaking out in a cold sweat
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Vomiting
Arm, upper ab or back pain
Chest pain or discomfort, which can feel sharp, dull or heavy
Dizziness
Fainting
Heart attack symptoms in women can be subtle and vary a lot. Mistaking these symptoms for the flu, acid reflux or aging can cost you your life. Every second counts.
What You Can Do To Lower Your Risks and Those of Your Loved Ones
Exercise regularly
Don’t smoke
Control your blood pressure
Check for diabetes
Eat a healthy diet
Monitor cholesterol
Limit or avoid alcohol
Manage stress
Educate yourself and others on cardiovascular disease causes and symptoms
Talk to your doctor about your heart health and have regular checkups
Call 911 if experiencing symptoms
Learn CPR
Support Women's Health Research
The Takeaway
Wearing red on Friday, February 3rd raises awareness of the importance of women’s heart health. Because heart disease is often thought of as a man’s disease, many women go undiagnosed. We need to be aware of the risks, causes and consequences, so we can take the preventative actions which could save our lives.
Smoking, obesity, chronic stress, diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the risk factors of heart disease. There is a lot we can do to reduce our risks. Some of these steps include exercising regularly, managing stress and consuming a healthy diet.
Women’s heart attack symptoms vary and can be different from men’s. We do not always experience chest pain. Nausea, dizziness, arm pain and shortness of breath are some of the warning signs women can have. It is important that we call 911 and get to a hospital if we experience sudden unexplained pain or discomfort.
The causes, symptoms and outcomes of cardiovascular events in women can be different from men's. For this reason, it is imperative we empower ourselves through awareness. By understanding the causes and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, we can lower our risk of heart disease. Eliminating the biggest threat to our health is the worthiest of goals.
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Heart.org; cdc.gov; goredforwomen.org; wellcornell.org