By Dr. Venkita Suresh
Are you aware that more women die from heart disease than men each year? Despite that, heart disease and related risk factors are frequently overlooked in women. A recent study by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), led by an eminent cardiologist, Prof. Srikanth Reddy, has found that more women in their 50s are prone to hypertension, a major risk factor for heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure, than men in the same age group, debunking the myth that cardiovascular disease is primarily a male problem.
In India, over one crore deaths are reported each year, with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) accounting for 20.3% of male deaths and 16.9% of female deaths. According to the World Health Organisation, Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
The most prevalent kind of heart illness is coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease. It is a term used to describe heart problems caused by narrowed coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscles. Often, a heart attack may be the first symptom of coronary heart disease.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and ‘active avoidance of physical activity’ (as described by the Lancet, one of the most reputed international medical journals) are the major risk factors for coronary artery disease that affect both men and women. However, other factors may be more important in the development of heart disease in women.
Risk factors for heart disease in women also arise from social, economic, and behavioural factors such as poor diet, smoking, inability to engage in physical activity, and mental stress. Family history, ethnic background, gender, and age can all influence a person's risk of developing heart disease.
Diabetes is emerging as key warning sign for heart disorders. Pre- Diabetes, a situation where blood sugar levels and HbA1C are just above the normal range, and poorly controlled diabetes, harm several organs, including the heart and blood vessels, brain and nerves, lungs, kidneys and the eyes. As a result, it is absolutely essential to maintain very good control over blood sugar levels. HBA1C levels must be checked every three months.
Women's symptoms of coronary artery disease and heart attack are often different from men. While symptoms like pain in the left arm or jaw and breathing difficulties are common for both genders, here are specific warning signs for women:
- A sharp pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck, arms, back, and arms.
- Unexplained discomfort in the central upper abdomen (over the stomach), nausea, dizziness, palpitations, and cold sweats.
- Unexplained tiredness and fatigue.
Because women's heart attack symptoms can differ from that of men's, women are less often diagnosed with heart disease, or the diagnosis delayed, than men. While some women may experience minor discomfort, others may not have any. Women frequently experience a first heart attack that is riskier than men.
Early detection of heart disease makes treatment easier, and avoids further complications. It is advised to discuss your heart health with your doctor and to take necessary precautions if there is a family history of heart disease. While a person's family history cannot be changed, other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
Various laboratory tests and imaging studies are used to diagnose heart diseases. Blood tests, chest x-rays, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests, electrophysiological studies, computerized tomography angiography, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, radio nuclide and PET scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, are some of them.
Millions of people worldwide struggle to control the risk factors that lead to heart disease, and many are unaware that they are at risk. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of heart attacks and strokes are avoidable. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help to prevent or control heart disease to a large extent. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious is essential for heart health.
It is important to examine your lifestyle critically to substantially reduce your risk of heart disease. Even if you already have heart disease, staying healthy and physically and mentally active can help you live a longer and productive life. It can lessen the likelihood of things getting worse.
Governments and policymakers must also play a critical role in ensuring that people have access to the necessities of life, such as clean air, affordable healthy food, and open and green spaces and environment to exercise and also achieve mental health.
The author is Dr. Venkita Suresh, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), PGD (Cardiology), Group Medical Director, Kauvery Hospitals, Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru
This article has been published in association with Kauvery Hospital.