Like men, more women also suffer from heart attack that could be fatal. For women heart disease is becoming number one killer. Reason for this is, women either neglect symptoms of heart conditions or don’t know what their symptoms are related to.  

According to Health.org “heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked (often by a blood clot). This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances, called plaque”.

Chest discomfort, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, pain in arms, lightheaded, jaw or throat pain, weakness, sweating are few symptoms of heart attack in women too. According to cardiologists, although both men and women can experience chest pressure during heart attack women can also experience heart attack without chest pressure. Instead women might experience shortness breath, pressure on lower abdomen, fainting, upper back pressure and fatigue. This is also called silent heart attack or known as silent ischemia (lack of oxygen supply) of heart. It means, heart attack can happen without a person knowing or experiencing it.

Instead of suffering from such fatal conditions, preventing development of conditions is better because prevention is the best medicine. The top seven health improvement tips for women to improve heart conditions are:

1. Monitor blood pressure: Having high blood pressure leads to severe heart conditions. Those who have high blood pressure need to give attention to maintaining blood pressure symptoms.
2. Quit smoking: Smoking anyway is not good for health. Smoking interferes with blood circulation, lung health and heart health. If you are a smoker, quit today! If you find it hard to quit smoking take help from helpline, programs and products. Now a day’s nicotine gums and body patches are available that help to quit smoking. Get therapy to quit smoking or talk to your doctor who will guide you on how to stop smoking.
3. Healthy eating and healthy weight: Obesity puts woman at risk of heart conditions. Monitor your BMI (body mass index) and if it is high, by appropriate diet and regular exercises overweight and high BMI can be come to normal. Best and proven ways to reduce weight is portion control, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, moderate to vigorous physical activity. Eat a healthy diet that’s low in sodium, saturated fat and trans fat.
4. Diabetes: People who has high blood sugar often show symptoms of heart conditions or they are at risk of having heart disease. Doctors can help you to reduce and maintain blood sugar level. Proper diet planning, good exercise and healthy eating helps to maintain blood glucose level.
5. Control cholesterol: Cholesterol and triglycerides are two culprits that hurt heart. At high level bad cholesterol will clog arteries and puts pressure on heart by not supplying blood that it needs. It will cause heart attack. Regular checkup of both triglyceride fat and cholesterol, good diet that does not support both culprits and medications if needed to control both will help to reduce risk of heart attack.
6. Alcohol consumption: If you like to drink alcohol products then limit your alcohol consumption. Choose alcohol products wisely. Understanding the amount of calories alcohol drinks provide is essential to avoid heart conditions.  One glass of red wine per day is enough and good for heart health.
7. Cope up with stress: Lowering stress level is highly critical for good heart health. Stress can build up blood pressure, diabetes, increase obesity and ultimately is risk for heart health. There are ways to reduce stress – being active, talking to friends, being mindful, getting support from family, visiting places – these are few ways to reduce stress level to prevent heart condition.

Educate yourself, talk to doctor, talk to health experts and get support from family. There are health numbers that helps to define our health conditions. Observe the symptoms and understand the difference in symptoms between different conditions that will help to keep up good heart health condition.

Reference:

https://www.heart.org/

https://www.medicinenet.com

https://www.goredforwomen.org

https://www.womenshealth.gov/

Image credit: Heart attack anatomy –

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