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Heart Disease in Women

In the United States, 1 in 4 women dies from heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease in both men and women is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called coronary artery disease, and it happens slowly over time. It's the major reason people have heart attacks.

Heart diseases that affect women more than men include

  • Coronary microvascular disease (MVD) - a problem that affects the heart's tiny arteries
  • Broken heart syndrome - extreme emotional stress leading to severe but often short-term heart muscle failure

The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to get heart disease. But women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease. All women can take steps to prevent it by practicing healthy lifestyle habits.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

The following features are indicative of Heart Disease in Women:
  • shoulder, upper back, neck, jaw, or abdominal discomfort
  • shortness of breath
  • pain in one or both arms
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • sweating
  • light headedness
  • dizziness
  • unusual fatigue
It is possible that Heart Disease in Women shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Heart Disease in Women

The following are the most common causes of Heart Disease in Women:
  • atherosclerosis
  • coronary artery disease

Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Heart Disease in Women:
  • being diabetic
  • mental stress
  • depression
  • smoking
  • more rest
  • menopause
  • broken heart syndrome
  • pregnancy complications

Prevention of Heart Disease in Women

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Heart Disease in Women. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • quit smoking
  • exercise regularly
  • maintain a healthy weight
  • eat a healthy diet that includes whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats
  • avoid saturated or trans fat, added sugars, and high amounts of salt

Occurrence of Heart Disease in Women

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Heart Disease in Women cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Not common between 50K - 500K cases

Common Age Group

Heart Disease in Women most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged > 50 years

Common Gender

Heart Disease in Women most commonly occurs in the following gender:
  • Female

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Heart Disease in Women

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Heart Disease in Women:
  • Electrocardiogram: To see electrical impulses generated by heart
  • Blood tests: To test for the presence of certain enzymes
  • Chest X-ray: To check the size of heart and its blood vessels
  • Echocardiogram: Provide video images of your heart
  • Coronary catheterization: Reveals the areas of blockage
  • Exercise stress test: To measure how the heart and blood vessels respond to exertion
  • Cardiac computerized tomography (CT): To diagnose heart problems
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To diagnose heart problems

Doctor for Diagnosis of Heart Disease in Women

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Heart Disease in Women:
  • Cardiologist

Complications of Heart Disease in Women if untreated

Yes, Heart Disease in Women causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Heart Disease in Women is left untreated:
  • abnormal heart rhythms
  • heart failure
  • heart rupture
  • heart valve problems
  • diabetes
  • high blood pressure
  • pregnancy related complications

Procedures for Treatment of Heart Disease in Women

The following procedures are used to treat Heart Disease in Women:
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention: Opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting: Allow blood flow to the heart to bypass the narrowed section

Self-care for Heart Disease in Women

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Heart Disease in Women:
  • Avoid smoking: Helps in improve your heart's health
  • Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Helps in reducing the chances of heart attack
  • Get regular medical checkups: Check for these conditions and help you manage them
  • Exercise regularly: Helps in improving heart muscle function after a heart attack
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight strains the heart and can contribute to other diseases
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet: Keeps the heart healthy
  • Manage diabetes: Keep blood sugar levels at more-desirable levels
  • Control stress: Reduce stress in your day-to-day activities

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Heart Disease in Women

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Heart Disease in Women:
  • Chiropractic therapy: Helps in the stress management during the treatment
  • Deep-breathing exercises and meditation: Helps in dealing with the stress

Patient Support for Treatment of Heart Disease in Women

The following actions may help Heart Disease in Women patients:
  • Deal with your emotions: Discuss your fear with your doctor, a family member or a friend may help
  • Support group: Effective in preventing or treating depression after a heart attack
  • Attend cardiac rehabilitation: Helps in lifestyle changes, emotional issues and a gradual return to your normal activities after a heart attack

Time for Treatment of Heart Disease in Women

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Heart Disease in Women to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • More than 1 year

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Heart Disease in Women.
Angioplasty
Arrhythmia
Congenital Heart Defects
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Heart Failure
Heart Valve Diseases

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