Heart disease is the biggest killer of Australian women, claiming an average of 20 lives a day, with many experiencing atypical symptoms.
About 40 per cent of women having a heart attack don’t feel severe chest pain and instead have symptoms that could be mistaken for something less serious.
These include pain in the neck or jaw, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue.
Women also experience gendered risk factors for heart disease – such as pregnancy complications, polycystic ovary syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and menopause – and advocates are highlighting the differences between the sexes.
Melbourne charity, Her Heart, says oestrogen plays a major role in protecting women from heart disease.
“It keeps blood vessels flexible and improves the concentration of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – the ‘good’ cholesterol in the body.
“Women can have an increased risk when their hormones start to change. This can be seen during menopause, when there is a drop in oestrogen levels, or if they have surgery to have their ovaries removed.”
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormone-related disease affecting women of reproductive age.
The Heart Foundation says that women with PCOS often have a lowered response to insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
This can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Likewise, in pregnancy – referred to as the ultimate stress test for the body – women experience increased health risks.
Blood volume increases 30-50 per cent during pregnancy, and labour and delivery cause changes in blood flow and pressure, forcing the heart to work harder.
While most women have uncomplicated pregnancies, some experience serious complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, putting them at increased risk of heart disease later in life.
Heart Research Australia states that heart disease kills twice as many Australian women as breast cancer and that 40 per cent of heart attacks in women are fatal.
“Sadly, the majority of women don’t realise it’s one of their leading causes of death,” it says.
It attributes this to women experiencing more vague symptoms and being less likely to seek help and undergo treatment than men. Women also tend to develop symptoms of heart disease at a later stage of the illness.
“It’s important to note that heart disease can occur at any age, however, around the time when women experience menopause the risk increases significantly,” Heart Research Australia says.
“For earlier identification of cardiovascular disease and more timely and appropriate medical intervention, it is advised for women over 45 (or over 35 for Indigenous women) to have a heart health check and to discuss their obstetric history. This enables proactive prevention to be taken to reduce risk.
“Many people who have been diagnosed with a heart condition go on to live long, full lives. However, it’s important to make lifestyle changes to manage your heart health over the longer term.”
While some risk factors for heart disease are out of our control, it is estimated that 80 per cent of heart disease is preventable with a healthy lifestyle, regular health checks, and awareness and management of risk factors.
Her Heart recommends that women have annual heart health checks with their GPs and follow medical advice to manage risks, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Women are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet and being physically active – making changes in consultation with their GP.
All general health information should be discussed in consultation with your doctor.
HEART HEALTH:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are all conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including heart attacks and strokes.
- Heart disease is the term used for conditions that affect the function and structure of the heart. These include heart failure (a pumping problem), cardiomyopathy (a muscle problem), arrhythmias (an electrical problem) and valve diseases (the heart has four valves).
- One in three women in Australia will die of heart disease, averaging more than 20 lives each day.
- Modifiable risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking/vaping, and alcohol consumption.
- Risk factors that can’t be controlled are age, gender, ethnic background, and family history.
- Heart attack symptoms in women include: chest pain or heaviness, neck or jaw pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue.
- Other symptoms of heart disease include: palpitations or a racing heart sensation, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, persistent cough, swollen feet and ankles, dizziness, leg pain/cramps, poor sleep.
- Women are encouraged to have an annual Heart Health Check with their GP, follow medical advice to manage risks, and adopt lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating, regular exercise and quitting smoking.
RESOURCES:
Her Heart: Promoting Heart Health For Women
Cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart attack warning signs in women | Heart Foundation
Women and Heart Disease – Heart Research Australia
Take the Her Heart Checklist & Start a Conversation About Heart Health
