Woman and Heart Disease

When it comes to heart health, women are different. Heart disease affects men and women quite differently and it is important for women to know what is unique to their heart health.

We encourage women to be their own health champions and be proactive in communicating with their medical care teams, and that includes asking questions about their heart health when consulting their doctor. Asking the right questions can save your life.

Prepare a list of questions

Preparing a list of questions before an appointment is a good start as doctors are busy and office appointments are typically brief. Include the following questions as well as questions that are weighing on your mind.

  • What is my risk of heart disease based on your family history and your risk factors?
  • What tests do you need to make sure that my heart disease symptoms (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain, nausea, or fatigue) are not due to heart disease?
  • What tests can detect early heart disease?
  • If you want to start a family, what should you know about your heart health and how will that affect your pregnancy?

Learn how to protect yourself or someone you love from heart disease.

  1. Start health habits now. Researches indicate that women that lead a healthy lifestyle before the age of 50 have a better chance of avoiding heart disease and the conditions that increase the risk of it such as diabetes and hypertension.
  2. Get your check-up. Some factors that increase your risk for heart disease, including high cholesterol, have no symptoms. Get regular check-ups that included a blood cholesterol test.
  3. Relax! Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone, called cortisol, can damage your arterial linings, making it harder for your heart to do its job.
  4. Do not smoke. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by two to four times.
  5. Choose your birth control wisely. Birth control pills can increase your risk of heart attack and blood clots. Some types of pills have been shown to increase the risk of blood clots. Especially in women who have a high BMI and to those who smoke.
  6. Brush your teeth. The bacteria that grow in your mouth and cause gum disease may double your risk for a heart attack. Regular brushing and flossing can sweeten your breath and improve your health.
  7. Reduce your sweetened beverages to two to four per day.
  8. Stay active. Your heart needs regular workouts to be healthy, even if you have a healthy BMI. As little as 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can reduce your risk of heart disease.