How women can tell if their heart is sick

Even though heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, many women still don’t know the signs and symptoms that can help with early detection. Only half of women recognize the threat heart disease poses to their health.

“Heart disease can affect women at various ages, and women may not experience chest pain symptoms as often as men,” explains Dr. Marianna Krive, a cardiologist at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill. “Usually, women experience weakness, profound fatigue, chest discomfort or break out in a cold sweat. Unfortunately, these flu-like symptoms aren’t immediately recognized as heart disease, and women too often wait until their symptoms are severe to seek help.”

Additionally, women’s heart disease remains under-diagnosed and undertreated by physicians due to the differences in symptoms as well as a persistent belief that cardiovascular disease predominately impacts men. That’s why it’s so important for women to be informed and to be their own health advocates. However, Dr. Krive says the best thing women can do it take preventive steps.

“It’s critical that women start taking care of their heart from a young age to prevent cardiovascular problems before they occur,” says Dr. Krive. “Heart disease and even heart failure can occur during pregnancy because child-bearing puts an enormous amount of stress on the body and the heart. Making sure your heart is ready for pregnancy and childbirth will help prepare you for the other changes you’ll experience during post-partum and menopause which can also impact your cardiovascular health.”

Women should focus first on quitting smoking, getting eight hours of sleep each night, reducing their sodium intake, exercising for 20 minutes at least 5 times a week and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce their risk. Additionally, women should know their family history of heart attacks and heart disease to better understand their own risk.

“Your family history of heart disease is a big predisposing factor,” Dr. Krive cautions. “If a family member had a heart attack or was diagnosed with heart disease, especially at a young age, women are at a higher risk for that same problem, perhaps at an even earlier age.”

She recommends people with a family history of heart disease schedule a heart scan at least ten years prior to the family member’s age at the time of the event or diagnosis. This simple test can help women who are not experiencing any symptoms get a better understanding of their cardiovascular health, and guide a preventive care plan and treatment options. Combined with lifestyle changes, women can significantly reduce their risk, even if genetically predisposed to heart disease.

To better understand your risk for heart disease, click here to take a short quiz about your heart health.