Prevention is the best medicine. This is so apt when we think about our hearts.
According to Heart Research Australia, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia.
A person in Australia dies every 30 minutes from heart disease. Each day, 23 people die from heart attack.
But did you know that women are often worse off than men?
Heart disease kills twice as many women in Australia every year than breast cancer.
About 40 percent of heart attacks in women are fatal.
REDFEB is Heart Research Australia’s annual event.
The aims are:
- To raise awareness of heart health
- To encourage people (especially women) to get a heart health check (this is a GP assessment, not a physical stress test) It’s a conversation, not a treadmill.
- Book a health check for your staff if you have them
- Wear Red and Donate
Why are women’s heart issues so different?
The biology of the heart is different between women and men.
The symptoms of a heart attack can be atypical and different from a man’s. Women often delay treatment. Symptoms are often non-specific or vague. There are also distracting symptoms such as dizziness, abdominal pain, sore jaw, and neck.
Many people don’t realise the symptoms below can be signs of a heart attack. Because the research is fairly new, unfortunately, women are half as likely to receive the proper treatment. Unless we get better educated!
Women’s Symptoms of heart attack
- Back, neck or jaw pain or tightness
- Burning sensation in the chest, similar to heartburn
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
On the other hand, men’s symptoms of a heart attack are more well-known.
Men’s heart attack symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
Other risks for women include menopause, which can increase a women’s cardiac risk.
Menopause means that women between about 45 and 55 have reduced estrogen circulating in our blood, which causes blood vessels to relax and dilate. When the estrogen is reduced, we can develop a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries causing them to narrow.
Menopause can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that affect the heart. They include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, and diabetes.
SCAD is an acronym for spontaneous coronary artery dissection. According to the Victor Chang Research Institute, SCADS can happen to young and healthy women, so being aware of the signs of heart conditions is essential. SCADs are known to be largely genetic but hormones play a big role.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is almost three times more common in women than men. It’s a risk for both heart attacks and stroke.
Diabetes can also increase a woman’s risk of a heart attack by 3 to 7 times. Many women remain undiagnosed but it can be present for years before symptoms develop.
So what can we do?
A nasty heart attack doesn’t need to catch us by surprise. There are lots of things we can do to help prevent them from happening.
The 4 Ms show us what we can do.
Move – Get 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week.
Meals – Eat plenty of real food (vegetables and whole grains) rather than junk or processed food.
- Replace sweets and lollies with fruits.
- Replace soft drink and cordial for water.
- Replace takeaway food with homemade meals more often.
Measurement – Get your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar levels checked. February is the month to do it. Book it in today.
Mental health – Be aware that our mental health can impact our heart. If you experience anxiety or depression, seek treatment for this. Stress, anger, and depression can all trigger a heart attack.
In the same way, Positive social relationships and mindfulness can contribute positively to our heart health.
Call to Action
Don’t sit around this February. Get onboard REDFEB’s month for heart health by doing any or all of the following:
- Book a health check at Narara Valley Medical
- Book health check for your staff
- Wear red and donate!
Heart Research Australia has a wealth of information on the 4Ms, healthy recipes and tips, videos, and expert advice for women, men, kids, and fundraising ideas.
For more information:
Heart Research Australia: https://www.heartresearch.com.au/
Victor Change Cardiac Research Institute: https://www.victorchang.edu.au/