What every woman should know about heart health

Knowing the symptoms, risk factors and heart-healthy lifestyle tips may help protect you.

Heart disease symptoms for women may range from the common signs like pressure in the chest, which is similar for both men and women. However, women are more likely than men to experience a variety of other symptoms. This may be because women tend to have blockages in smaller arteries, as well as their main arteries.

Symptoms to watch out for include nausea, vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness or fatigue. Other symptoms are pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, abdomen or back.

Women also may not experience any symptoms if their heart disease is “silent” meaning they may not know they have heart disease until they experience a heart attack, arrhythmia or heart failure.

While there may be risk factors you can’t control, making the choice to start a heart-healthy lifestyle is one way to help lower your risk of heart disease. In fact, studies show that healthy choices have resulted in 330 fewer women dying from heart disease per day.

Consider these changes to help lower your risk of heart disease:

• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthier
• Manage your stress
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Prioritize sleep

During this year’s American Heart Month in February, it’s the right time to learn more about the disease and if you may be at increased risk. Don’t wait for the symptoms to appear – take preventable action to help maintain your health.

– By Dr. Damanpreet Jamarai, Senior Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare, California.