Angina in Women
Angina is commonly referred as Heart Attack. But angina is a warning of heart attack or heart diseases. Heart attack can be prevented if early measures are taken for warning signs. Heart diseases are mainly caused by blockages of arteries due to accumulation of fats which prevents the blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscles.
Difference of angina in both men and women
Based on clinical experience both men and women describes different kind of angina. Mainly heart disease in men are caused due to blockages in the coronary arteries while heart diseases in women are caused due to blockages in the small arteries that branches out of the coronary artery. Women describe symptoms of heart attack differently than men. Commonly described atypical symptoms by women would be stomach upset, nausea, pain in mid chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and pain in upper back. While men would describe the typical symptoms like sharp pain in chest or feeling of tightness in the chest, pain radiation from chest to back, arms and jaw with palpitations, perspiration and difficulty in breathing. These differences may lead to delay in seeking the treatments in women. Hence it is easier to diagnose the heart attack in men than women.
Why women are less likely to get heart attack or angina?
It is very true that less number of women develop heart disease than men. The reason is the female hormones that protect women from heart diseases till menopause. Once women goes into menopausal period the hormonal imbalances cannot protect them from heart diseases. After menopause women have heart diseases as often as men do. In today's scenario, heart disease is commonly seen in women but unfortunately women are less educated about it.
Risk factors for heart attack
Major factors
- High Blood Cholestrol levels
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Diabetes and smoking
- Family history of heart attack
- Gender - men commonly suffer from heart diseases than women.
See a Doctor if you have -
If the chest pain, discomfort in chest or shortness of breath last longer than few minutes then immediately call your doctor or immediately take your angina medications (if you are already on medications). Also call for emergency help and ambulance so that you reach the hospital quickly for further treatment.
How to prevent angina?
Simply by changing the lifestyle, angina or related heart diseases can be prevented.
- Control your cholesterol levels and manage your blood pressure - More than 50% of adults suffer from cholesterol and high blood pressure problems. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are the leading cause for heart diseases in both the sexes.
- Lose weight - Obesity is another major reason for heart dieases all over the world. Getting invovled in regular physical activities will help to lose significant weight.
- Eat heart healthy food - Eat adequate amount of nutritious food which would keep you healthy.
- Stop smoking - Smoking weakens the chest and heart muscles and prevents the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. So stop smoking to keep your heart healthy.
- Regular health check-ups - Every person after the age of 30 must undergo routine health check-up.This will help to diagnose the disease at early age and prevent the further complications.
Like it on Facebook, Tweet it or share this article on other bookmarking websites.