Cardiac threat for women- diagnosed late in age

The study on cardiovascular diseases in women in ‘The Indian Journal of Cardiovascular disease’ discusses the reason why women suffer from heart ailment. This study states nearly 32% are women out of 1.6 lakh urban Indians, and of these 92% were less than 60 years of age. Heart disease is the number one killer in women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. However, the warning signs of this disease are different from those in men. For example, women do not have the characteristic chest pain but may have a jaw pain. This is one of the reasons why women do not get diagnosed timely, thus exacerbating the condition further. Women who start menstruating at the age of 11 or earlier, or enter menopause before 47 have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, “Heart disease has traditionally never been thought to be a woman’s disease. Thus, when a woman complains of symptoms such as breathlessness, very often it is mistaken for some other problem. The pattern of symptoms exhibited by women is also slightly different from men, which also tends to delay the diagnosis. The classic patter of angina with pain on the left side of the chest may be absent in women. They are more likely to have atypical angina, in which they could experience discomfort in the shoulders, back, and neck. Apart from this, shortness of breath is often the first and only presenting symptom. All of this can make the diagnosis tricky.”

Dr Aggarwal, who is also Group Editor of IJCP, said, “The need of the hour is to create awareness about the fact that heart diseases can affect anyone irrespective of their age or gender. Only timely changes to one’s lifestyle and preventive measures can help in combating the risk factors and avoiding heart diseases. Women need to be particularly aware of the signs and symptoms and take adequate care of their health.”

Dr. Sumeet Sinha, MBBS, MD, DM (Cardiology),Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Head Department Of Cardiology, Virinchi Hospitals, Hyderabad is of the opinion that Cardiovascular disease in women differs in clinical presentation, path physiology and prognosis from that in men. The role of estrogens and androgens may help explain such sex dimorphisms, being involved in cardiac function, endothelial function and vascular tone.Men develop hypertension at younger ages than women, thus carrying an increased life-long burden of disease including the risk of stroke.

Causes for Heart diseases :

Low HDL (good cholesterol)

High BMI (body mass index)

High BP

Diabetes

Sedentary life style

Stressful work conditions

Compromised diet

Some other factors that were associated with elevated odds of heart problems in later years were miscarriage, stillbirth, undergoing a hysterectomy, and bearing children at a young age. The findings have suggested that women who had premature reproductive cycles or a history of adverse events should be immediately screened for heart problems.

Women at high risk :

Aspirin 75 to 150 mg, as prevention

Control of blood pressure.

No use of antioxidant vitamin supplement.

No use of folic acid support.

No Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Lowering of LDL cholesterol of less than 80.

 Treatment :

Correction of all risk factors.

Regular screening for heart disease as it will act as a prevention & amp.

Some antihypertensive drugs work better in women like ca ch blockers than beta blockers.

Tips For all Women:

Moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes and for 60 to 90 minutes for weight management on most days of the week.

Avoidance and cessation of cigarette smoking and passive smoking

Keep waist circumference less than 35 inches.

Take a heart-friendly diet.

Presence of high triglyceride levels.  One should add Omega 3 fatty acids to diet.

Control cholesterol level, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Women who smoke should avoid oral contraceptive pills.

Aspirin 80 mg in more than 65 years of age should be added

Treat underlying depression.