February is Heart Disease Awareness Month! Heart disease is extremely prevalent in the United States and is the number 2 cause of death for adults in Colorado. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 697,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—that’s one in every five deaths. These staggering numbers highlight the importance of education, prevention, and early detection.
Specifically, heart disease disproportionately affects women over men. Over 60 million women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease. Men and women are both at risk, but the prevalence and outcomes can differ between genders. While men are more likely to suffer a heart attack, women often experience subtler symptoms and are more likely to die from their first heart attack. Additionally, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined, and can affect women at any age.
In 2021, heart disease was responsible for the deaths of 310,661 women—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths. Only about half of US women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer. This is why it’s so critical to increase awareness and education around this topic, and to encourage people, particularly women, to be screened regularly. Knowing the facts about heart disease—as well as the signs, symptoms and risk factors—can help you take steps to protect your health and seek proper treatment.
Symptoms
Common symptoms for both men and women include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
In women, symptoms can be more subtle, such as nausea, cold sweats, fluttering feeling in the chest (palpitations), swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen, and unusual or sudden fatigue. It’s crucial to take these symptoms seriously and seek immediate medical attention if they occur.
Risk factors
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. More than 58.9 million women in the United States have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medicine. This includes almost 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. Having high blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke and can lead to early death. High blood pressure is often underdiagnosed in women.
Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than white women. Pregnant women with high blood pressure have twice the risk of developing heart disease later in life compared to pregnant women without this condition.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can put people at higher risk of heart disease, including:
- High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- An unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress and depression
Women also face specific factors related to reproductive health and pregnancy, including:
- Early first period (before age 11)
- Early menopause (before age 40)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Preterm delivery
- Delivery of a low birth weight or high birth weight infant
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Reducing risk
Screening and lifestyle changes play a vital role in preventing heart disease. Here are some steps you can take:
- Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
- Avoid Tobacco Products: Smoking and secondhand smoke increase the risk of heart disease.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive drinking can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart-related issues.
- Manage Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
- Get Enough Sleep: Poor sleep quality is linked to heart disease.
- Know Your Blood Pressure: Having uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and dementia. High blood pressure has no symptoms. It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and report elevated readings to your health care team.
- A1C Testing: Consider getting tested for diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes raises your risk of heart disease. You can test your A1C and cholesterol levels for free with Chaffee County Public Health. Call 719-221-9777 for more information and to get free testing.
Early detection of conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Take action today!
By staying informed, recognizing symptoms, getting regular screenings, and making lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. Let this February serve as a call to action for everyone to prioritize their heart health and support loved ones in doing the same.