Unveiling the Silent Threat: Heart Disease in Women
Despite misconceptions that heart disease predominantly affects men, it’s now the leading cause of mortality for women in the United States. Heart disease claimed the lives of 310,661 women in 2021 alone—approximately 1 in every 5 female deaths.
Unfortunately, heart disease awareness among U.S. women has declined in recent years; in 2019, merely 44% of women realized it was the number one cause of death, which was a substantial decrease from 66% only a decade earlier. Even more concerning is that individuals with high blood pressure (a significant contributor to heart disease) were 30% less aware that it’s the leading cause of death among women.
Although significant strides have been made in heart disease prevention, misconceptions about the disease and a lack of awareness have made it difficult to combat this pervasive and dangerous health issue. The good news is that it can be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.
Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease (also called cardiovascular disease) is a blanket term that includes several conditions affecting the heart, including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmias, and various other ailments. Coronary artery disease, which impairs blood flow to the heart, is the most common form of heart disease in the U.S.
Heart disease can affect women of any age and is surprisingly common; among women who are 20 years or older, 45% are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable; heart disease is the primary cause of mortality for new mothers and accounts for more than a third of maternal deaths. After menopause, the risk of cardiovascular disease can increase, especially if other risk factors are present.
It’s not uncommon for women to have no symptoms, which is why heart disease is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer.” Other women may experience symptoms like:
- A dull or heavy ache in the chest (angina)
- Pain in the throat, neck, or jaw
- Pain in the back or upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the primary factors for heart disease. Approximately 56 million women (44.3% of the female population) in the United States have high blood pressure. Not only does hypertension increase the likelihood of heart disease, but it also raises the risk of stroke and premature mortality.
Unfortunately, high blood pressure often goes undiagnosed in women, and less than a quarter effectively manage the condition. Moreover, high blood pressure disproportionately affects Black women, who face a considerably higher probability of developing the condition compared to their White counterparts. Additionally, pregnant women with high blood pressure have twice as high of a risk of developing heart disease later in life.
Other risk factors include:
- High LDL cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Being overweight or obese
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Stress and depression
- Pregnancy-related diabetes
- Early heart disease in the family
- Inflammatory disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases
- Early menopause (before the age of 40)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
If you’re at risk of developing heart disease due to any of the above factors, there are several proactive steps you can take:
- Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Regularly check your blood pressure, as uncontrolled levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health issues. High blood pressure often has subtle or no noticeable symptoms, so regular monitoring is essential.
- Discuss Diabetes Testing: Consult your doctor about diabetes testing as uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of heart disease.
- Quit Smoking: If you’re a smoker, you should quit.
- Assess Cholesterol Levels: Talk to your healthcare provider about checking your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat protein, such as fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid or limit foods containing saturated and trans fats.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight or obese, it’s important to lose weight, as excess weight increases your risk of heart disease.
- Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day.
- Manage Stress: Find healthy ways to manage your stress levels, such as yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises.
Get Full Support on Your Wellness Journey
Many of the risk factors for heart disease are interconnected, so it’s very important to take a proactive approach to your health. By following the above tips, you can not only reduce your risk of heart disease but also high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Healthy lifestyle changes are key to better overall health and well-being.
If you’d like additional support on your wellness journey, contact Dr. Jennifer Hubert. As an internal medicine doctor, she takes a holistic approach to helping you live a healthier life. Using a variety of methods, including medical weight loss and advanced diagnostics, Dr. Hubert has helped countless patients reduce their risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Schedule a consultation today at (707) 380-1838.
