Women suffer from heart disease more than men do
Most women who suffer from heart related problems at an early age have some common factors although there may be some exceptions. There are no known reasons why men or women especially, women develop heart disease. However, it occurs in women due to following reasons in most cases.
- Family history of early heart disease
- Age after women past the age of menopause
- High blood pressure
- Diabetic
- Cholesterol levels
- Smoking habits
- Over-weight
- Irregular ways of living life
In some cases, contraceptives also make the difference especially if the woman smokes too.
Use of Cannabis, cocaine or any other banned drugs.
Heart problems and women
Heart problems are usually related to male but you shall be surprised to note that female patients suffering from heart diseases outnumber men in a big way and unfortunately, the number of female patients who die due to heart problems every year is far bigger than male causalities. Actually, the reasons and symptoms are different in men and women as far as heart related diseases are concerned but the patients do not understand it and consider that the symptoms are same for men and women.
Moreover, the medical science has not developed the proper system to test women for this dreaded disease on a different level nor the equipment ready to deal with women specifically. Even the treadmill, considered a good test to diagnose heart patient is not much help in case of women patients.
The symptoms are different
However, there are some basic differences of symptoms found in male and female patients and the best part is that female can handle these symptoms far easily than male patients. Female can reduce the risk of fatal consequences if diagnosed in early stages. There is another fact that women always develop heart related diseases at later stage compared to men.
The women being better at physical activity as homemakers (well in most cases, nothing to make women come back roaring at me for calling them homemakers, some of them work outdoors as well) and involved in lots of work that help keeps them fit. However, there is one big problem with women is their tendency to delay to go to a doctor for a proper checkup of the problem because their symptoms are not typical symptoms as faced by male patients and generally suggested by doctors or written in manuals.
Although, the basic risks are same for men and women for heart related diseases like Blood pressure, cholesterol and overweight but women have some more reasons those may affect women more than these affect men. Women tend to become tensed and depressed easily than men, the major causes for their suffering and if the women smoke while tensed that increases the risk to lot greater extent. In addition, the level of estrogen after menopause puts them at more risk.
The symptoms of heart related problems in women
There are certain specific symptoms of heart related problems in men but in case of women, the pain in heart is not the common problem but an uneasy feeling or a pressure similar to gastric pressure in chest. The best way to survive the disease is to know its reasons and the symptoms. Most common symptoms of heart related problems in women consist of- uneasy feeling or pain in shoulders, upper part of back or a feeling of pain in the stomach. Most women do not care if symptoms of heart problems last for very short duration but that is not advisable and one should consult a heart specialist immediately.
Women feel a sudden struggle a breathing problem and heaviness in the chest even while resting or in the morning hours when they are not going through any heavy work. This is because the disease has reached an advance stage. The common problem a woman may feel immediately after having a stroke that her cells of brain begin to die and she feels trouble while walking is most common problem in such cases. She feels loss of balance particularly while speaking, too weak in knees, loss of vision or the same becomes blurred. In addition, even an attack of paralysis is possible.
Women have certain reasons to suffer
1- Metabolic syndrome- The women with fat around their waistline, high blood pressure, triglyceride and high sugar content in blood are more prone to heart diseases.
2- Women are more prone to metal stress compared to men therefore more prone to heart problems. Therefore, this is recommended that women with history of stress must consult a doctor get a suggestion.
3- Ladies are more affected and at risk due to smoking therefore, should quit as soon as possible.
4- Heredity plays a vital role and women with family history of heart related problems must get a thorough check-up regularly although this is not mandatory that one with family history would suffer from this disease.
Trans Fat is one of the reasons
Trans Fat is artificial fat that is not available naturally but made mixing hydrogen and vegetable oils because fat in this form is a cheaper than fats available naturally and used for cooking especially by junk food manufacturers. Another reason for using Trans Fats by the manufacturers of junk foods like potato chips, burgers, French fry is the unique taste that it provides to the products.
These foods are one of the main reasons of increasing cholesterol level and a threat on hearts of the users. People who use such products are affected with various problems including heart diseases in particular. Women, who use these products, have more chances to get adverse effects compared to their male counterparts. Your action plan in case of symptoms
Here are some suggestions, which are commonly known to almost everyone but when the occasion arises most of the people seem to forget these precautions and more so in case of women. The delay in medical help may only intensify the problem and make things worse for you. Some patients get a positive response of the treatments if given within a limited period later these wear not much response or even die if become too late.
As in cases of women, this being the normal practice, as they do not think that they may suffer from a heart attack, always avoids the medical help unless their family members insist and take them for check-up. However, this is recommended to act as soon as possible and have a proper medical treatment.
To get rid of risk factor heart problems
Proper weight- As we know that a healthy person needs to maintain a proper weight and to maintain an ideal weight is through proper eating and live a trouble free happy life, more so if you have a history of heart disease in your family. A trouble free happy life is the key factor for patients as it decreases the risk factor up to a great extent.
Exercise-
As we also know that heart problem is bigger problem for people not active and not exercising properly according to a fixed plan. An irregular and unsystematic exercise only gives a limited result therefore this is highly recommended to make it a regular practice. The walk on a regular basis especially, at brisk pace does wonders for people with heart problems. Try it and watch the difference. This is advisable to start with normal exercises at slow pace and later increase it up to the level your body can tolerate it easily. Never overstress your body beyond your limit.
This is your life-
There are certain factors, which makes you feel better but these are in your own hands as you can always find a group who is interested in walking and making life easier. I find people laughing at full throats in the park while people around look at them with curiosity. In fact, they are going through the laughter therapy and making themselves younger while keeping their heart healthy. There are several ways, one can find to keep herself happy. I also know a group who go for a stroll in the mall nearby because they do not find enough time for morning walk.
Your diet is important
People having heart problems should be careful with what they eat. Eating certain food items like lots of green vegetables and fruits is helpful. They should eat food items with low fat contents and high nutrient values. As every one has different dietary habits therefore there is no use suggesting the names of food items but this is advisable to patients of hear problems to eat what is recommended by their physical and avoid foods which contain excessive fat or salt as these are harmful for heart patients.