Heart Disease in Men and Women

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. It causes about 1 in every 4 male deaths each year and 1 in 3 female deaths per year.

The more you know about heart disease, the better your chance of fighting it. There are several misconceptions about heart disease —for example, many heart attack symptoms in women are not the same as those in men. By educating yourself on the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of heart disease and taking action to educate and raise awareness of the disease, you can help more people live healthier lives.

Knowing the Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease is a lifelong disorder that affects the blood vessels and cardiovascular system. Plaque buildup—made of several substances, including cholesterol—thickens and stiffens artery walls, inhibiting blood flow from the arteries to organs and tissues. A blood clot can form when buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. That's when a heart attack or stroke can occur.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

During a heart attack, an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack in women include:

• Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Severe pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
• Vomiting

Heart Attack Symptoms in Men

Sometimes, heart disease in men may remain silent and undiagnosed until they experience a significant event like a heart attack or heart failure. These are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack in men:

• Chest pain, tightness, pressure, discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in arms and legs
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back

If you think you are having a heart attack or heart failure, call 911 immediately—every second counts. Getting help as soon as possible increases your chances of survival and decreases damage to the heart.

Who is at Risk?

Whether you are 19 or 90, women and men of all ages can be affected by heart disease. There are many risk factors for both men and women. Those risk factors include:

For women:

• Low Estrogen – According to the American Heart Association, low levels of estrogen after menopause or accompanied by a missing/irregular period are linked to heart disease in women.
• Smoking on Birth Control - The combination of smoking and taking birth control pills can increase the risk of heart disease by 20 percent.
• Pregnancy - Pregnancy complications like high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy

For Men:

• Low testosterone – Studies show that testosterone deficiency is common in men with heart disease. Low testosterone levels in men may promote clogged arteries.
• Erectile dysfunction – There is a very strong link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease. Having erectile dysfunction is as much a risk factor for heart disease as a history of smoking or a family history of heart disease.

General Risk Factors:

• High blood pressure or cholesterol – Both high blood pressure and cholesterol are major heart disease risk factors. These can result from a poor diet or family history.
• Diabetes – If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes—at a younger age, too. High blood glucose from diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart.
• Overweight and obesity – Both are linked to hypertension and enlarged left ventricle, increasing your risk of heart failure and heart disease. Being overweight or obese can also cause your cholesterol and blood pressure to rise, both contributing factors to heart disease and leading to diabetes.
• Unhealthy diet – Eating foods high in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol are linked to heart disease. Too much salt or sodium can raise your blood pressure, another risk factor for heart disease.
• Physical inactivity — When inactive, fatty material may build up in your arteries. Lack of exercise comes with many heart risks, including blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and obesity.
• Excessive alcohol use – Drinking too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure and heart failure. Alcohol also contributes to obesity and may weaken the heart muscles.
• Smoking – Nearly 1 in 4 deaths from heart disease are caused by smoking. Even people who smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day may show signs of early heart disease. Smoking causes cells that line the blood vessels to swell. This narrows the blood vessels and leads to heart disease.
• Stress – People who often feel anxious or overwhelmed develop heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol at a faster rate than their less-worried peers.
• Family history – If an immediate family member had a heart attack or heart disease before the age of 60, your chances of developing heart disease are higher than average. You are more likely to get heart disease if it runs in your family.
• Age – The risk for heart disease increases as you age. The average age for a heart attack is 72 in women and 65.5 in men, but heart disease can happen at any age and is on the rise for younger people.
• Snoring – 1 in 5 adults has at least a mild form of sleep apnea. If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.

What Can You Do to Prevent Heart Disease?

The good news is that you're never too young or too old to take care of your heart. You can start making many heart-healthy choices today to prevent heart disease and reduce your risk for it now and later in life.

• Eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
• Follow a regular exercise routine.
• Know the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.
• Know your family history.
• Lower or manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Practice stress management techniques.
• Quit—or don't start—smoking.
• Schedule regular wellness visits with your Primary Care provider to learn about your risk for heart disease.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Watch your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Quit smoking or avoid smoking.
• Get regular check-ups and screenings.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Learn stress and coping skills.
• Know your family history of heart disease.
• Don't ignore snoring. Talk to your provider about a Sleep Medicine consultation.

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of heart disease or may be at risk, contact Frederick Health today. Our heart care experts offer the best possible cardiac care in a state-of-the-art, advanced facility. They can provide follow-up tests and immediate services to get you the answers and care you need.

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