Heart disease major cause of illness, death in women

Heart disease becomes more common as women get older, particularly after menopause

Dr Tendai Zuze
Health Matters
AUGUST is a month when we often focus on women’s health, among other issues.
We usually talk about breast cancer, cervical cancer, pregnancy and menopause. But there is another important area that deserves attention, the heart.
Some say that women have hearts of stone. But in medical terms, women have hearts that need just as much care as men’s hearts.
Heart disease is a major cause of illness and death in women, yet many women do not think they are at risk.
Heart disease becomes more common as women get older, particularly after menopause.
High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise and a family history of heart disease all increase the risk.
Women should therefore know their numbers. Check your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol regularly. Eat sensibly, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and keep alcohol to a minimum. These simple things can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.
Heart problems do not always announce themselves with severe chest pain. Women may experience pressure or discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain in the back, neck, jaw or arms. Sometimes the symptoms may simply feel like indigestion or an unusual feeling of being unwell.
Another problem that becomes more common with heart disease is heart failure. This does not mean that the heart has stopped working. It means that the heart is no longer pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
Common signs of heart failure include shortness of breath, especially when walking or lying flat, waking at night struggling to breathe, swollen feet and ankles, unexplained tiredness, reduced ability to exercise and a rapid increase in weight from fluid retention.
A persistent cough, particularly when lying down, can also occur. These symptoms should be assessed by a doctor rather than simply being blamed on getting older.
The important message is that heart disease is not just a man’s problem.
Women can and do develop heart disease, and many of the risk factors can be identified and treated early.
So, during Women’s Month, let us remember to look after the heart as well as the rest of the body. Know your numbers, recognise the warning signs and don’t ignore symptoms.
And perhaps women don’t really have hearts of stone after all.