About Heart Attack in Women
Learn about the disease, illness and/or condition Heart Attack in Women including: symptoms, causes, treatments, contraindications and conditions at ClusterMed.info.
Heart Attack in Women
Heart Attack in Women |
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Heart Attack in Women InformationFor more information on heart disease in womenFor more information on heart disease, please call womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573 Internet Address: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm National Cholesterol Education Program National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Internet Address: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep National High Blood Pressure Education Program National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Internet Address: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/nhbpep/index.htm Act In Time to Heart Attack Signs Campaign National Heart Attack Alert Program National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573 Internet Address: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime The Heart Truth National Awareness Campaign for Women about Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Internet Address: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/index.htm American Heart Association Phone Number(s): (800) 242-8721 Internet Address: www.americanheart.org WomenHeart Phone Number(s): (202) 728-7199 Internet Address: www.womenheart.org One woman's heart attack storyIn 1991, I went to the ER with chest pains twice in one week. They said it was ulcers (bleeding in the stomach). Then the pain became very intense. Again, the ER said there was nothing they could do. I refused to leave and was admitted for observation. Later, the doctor on duty saw my EKG and asked, "Where's the 34-year-old who had the massive heart attack?" I had emergency surgery. However, the damage was done, and only part of my heart muscle functions. I had to quit a job I loved, and my life is completely changed. They thought I was too young to have a heart attack. Heart Attacks in Women Kill Do women need to worry about heart disease?Yes. Among all U.S. women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease. In 2004, nearly 60 percent more women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. 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 should take steps to prevent heart disease. Both men and women have heart attacks, but more women who have heart attacks die from them. Treatments can limit heart damage but they must be given as soon as possible after a heart attack starts. Ideally, treatment should start within one hour of the first symptoms. If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Tell the operator your symptoms and that you think you're having a heart attack. Do women of color need to worry about heart disease?Yes. African American and Hispanic American/Latina women should be concerned about getting heart disease because they tend to have more risk factors than white women. These risk factors include obesity, lack of physical activity,high blood pressure, and diabetes. If you're a woman of color, take steps to reduce your risk factors. Does menopausal hormone therapy (HT, HRT, ET) increase a woman's risk for heart disease?Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help with some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and bone loss, but there are risks, too. For some women, taking hormones can increase their chances of having a heart attack or stroke. If you decide to use hormones, use them at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about MHT. Does taking birth control pills increase my risk for heart disease?Taking birth control pills is generally safe for young, healthy women if they do not smoke. But birth control pills can pose heart disease risks for some women, especially women older than 35; women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol; and women who smoke. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the pill. If you're taking birth control pills, watch for signs of trouble, including:
Does using the birth control patch increase my risk for heart disease?The patch is generally safe for young, healthy women. The patch can pose heart disease risks for some women, especially women older than 35; women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol; and women who smoke. Recent studies show that women who use the patch may be exposed to more estrogen than women who use the birth control pill. Estrogen is the female hormone in birth control pills and the patch that keeps you from getting pregnant. Research is underway to see if the risk for blood clots is higher in patch users. Blood clots can lead to heart attack or stroke. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the patch. If you're using the patch, watch for signs of trouble, including:
How can I lower my blood pressure?If you have hypertension or prehypertension, you may be able to lower your blood pressure by:
How can I lower my cholesterol?You can lower your cholesterol by taking these steps: Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to see if you are at a healthy weight. If not, try making small changes like eating an apple instead of potato chips, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking farther away from the entrance to your office, the grocery store, or the mall. (But be sure to park in a safe, well-lit spot.) Eat better. Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Eat more:
How do I know if I have heart disease?Heart disease often has no symptoms. But, there are some signs to watch for. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a symptom of heart disease and a warning sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air), dizziness, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), abnormal heartbeats, or feeling very tired also are signs. Talk with your doctor if you're having any of these symptoms. Tell your doctor that you are concerned about your heart. Your doctor will take a medical history, do a physical exam, and may order tests. One of my family members had a heart attack. Does that mean I'll have one too?If your dad or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom or sister had one before age 65, you're more likely to develop heart disease. This does not mean you will have a heart attack. It means you should take extra good care of your heart to keep it healthy. Should I take a daily aspirin to prevent heart attack?Aspirin may be helpful for women at high risk, such as women who have already had a heart attack. Aspirin can have serious side effects and may be harmful when mixed with certain medicines. If you're thinking about taking aspirin, talk to your doctor first. If your doctor thinks aspirin is a good choice for you, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. Sometimes my heart beats really fast and other times it feels like my heart skips a beat. Am I having a heart attack?Most people have changes in their heartbeat from time to time. These changes in heartbeat are, for most people, harmless. As you get older, you're more likely to have heartbeats that feel different. Don't panic if you have a few flutters or if your heart races once in a while. If you have flutters and other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air), call 911. What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?For both women and men, the most common sign of a heart attack is:
What can I do to prevent heart disease?You can reduce your chances of getting heart disease by taking these steps: Know your blood pressure. Years of high blood pressure can lead to heart disease. People with high blood pressure often have no symptoms, so have your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years and get treatment if you need it. Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. If you're having trouble quitting, there are products and programs that can help:
What do my cholesterol and triglyceride numbers mean?Total cholesterol level - Lower is better. Less than 200 mg/dL is best. Total Cholesterol Level Category Less than 200 mg/dl Desirable 200 - 239 mg/dl Borderline high 240 mg/dl High LDL (bad) cholesterol - Lower is better. Less than 100 mg/dL is best. LDL Cholesterol Level Category Less than 100 mg/dl Optimal 100 - 129 mg/dl Near optimal/above optimal 130 - 159 mg/dl Borderline high 160 - 189 mg/dl High 190 mg/dl and above Very High HDL (good) cholesterol - Higher is better. More than 60 mg/dL is best. Triglyceride levels - Lower is better. Less than 150mg/dL is best. What does high blood pressure have to do with heart disease?Blood pressure is the force your blood makes against the walls of your arteries. The pressure is highest when your heart pumps blood into your arteries â when it beats. It is lowest between heart beats, when your heart relaxes. A doctor or nurse will write down your blood pressure as the higher number over the lower number. For instance, you could have a blood pressure of 110/70 (read as "110 over 70"). A blood pressure reading below 120/80 is usually considered normal. Very low blood pressure (lower than 90/60) can sometimes be a cause of concern and should be checked out by a doctor. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher. Years of high blood pressure can damage artery walls, causing them to become stiff and narrow. This includes the arteries carrying blood to the heart. As a result, your heart cannot get the blood it needs to work well. This can cause a heart attack. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 to 139/89 is considered prehypertension. This means that you don't have high blood pressure now but are likely to develop it in the future. What does high cholesterol have to do with heart disease?Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cells in all parts of the body. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries and cause blood clots. Cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. This can cause a heart attack. There are two types of cholesterol:
What is heart disease?Heart disease in women includes a number of problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs. CAD can lead to:
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