Warning Signs for Heart Disease, ESPECIALLY in Women!

Since February is Heart Disease Awareness month – I wanted to focus your attention on heart disease especially in women.

Did you know that heart disease is the Number 1 cause of death in women in the USA!? This is why it is so important to understand heart disease and what we can do to identify and prevent it. 

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is most commonly caused by a blockage of the coronary arteries (which are the main blood vessels that supply blood (thus oxygen) to the heart). The blockage is generally caused by “plaques” which consists of fat and  cholesterol.  Blockage of the blood vessels build up slowly over time, and during this process the patient may have no symptoms at all -- this is why heart disease is known as a “silent killer”.  

Once you develop symptoms of a heart attack (which I will discuss below), the blockage has become pretty severe.  In fact – physicians use these symptoms as a gauge of deciding on treatment options and interventions for heart disease.  The most common cause of heart disease is related to this build-up of plaque, but it can also be related to abnormalities in the structure of the heart (including valves)  and/or the rhythm of the heart. 

I will focus on helping you understand the most common cause of heart disease -- atherosclerosis (which is a build up of plaque in the arteries).

Your heart is the most important muscle in your body, and every muscle requires oxygen to function and stay alive.  Your heart’s job is to pump blood to every single organ in your body. When you exercise, the demand for oxygen in your body increases. It is the job of your heart to meet those increased demands. 

Chest pain is considered as the most typical symptom of heart disease that many people are familiar with. Interestingly – chest pain is the most common symptom in men NOT women!  Women, along with Diabetics, generally do not develop the typical symptoms of heart disease - thus it important to be aware of all other symptoms that can be associated with heart disease which include: 

• chest pain at rest
• chest pain during exercise  
• sharp pains that moves down the left (most commonly) or right arm
• jaw pain
• chest pressure (as it someone was standing on your chest)
• increased sweating
• nausea/vomiting
• dizziness
• light-headedness
• upper abdominal pain

According to the American Heart Association – 64% of women who die suddenly from a heart attack never exhibited prior symptoms!  This is why prevention is so important!

Being knowledgeable about heart disease can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. I hope you found this information helpful. As always, email questions/comments to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com.

**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**