Women's Health: Tips for a Healthy Heart

By Anne L. Taylor, M.D.

More women in the United States die of heart disease than any other condition. In fact, more than 40 percent of all female deaths in the U.S. occur from heart disease—493,623 women died of heart disease in 2002, compared with 268,503 women who died from cancer.

What is my risk of getting heart disease?

Risk factors increase your chance of getting heart disease and influence your ability to recover if you already have it. Some risk factors are beyond our control—such as age, menopause, family history, and ethnicity. The good news is that there are many more risk factors that are changeable. These include:

How do I reduce my risk?

By making changes in your lifestyle today, you can begin to reduce your risk. First, visit your health care provider. He or she can help educate you and begin regular check-ups.

Quitting smoking is vital step toward protecting your heart health. Smoking affects the heart in many ways, including increasing blood pressure and causing a hardening of the arteries.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet, not surprisingly, are the best ways to reduce many risks. Obesity increases strain on the heart and can cause diabetes and high blood pressure. Exercise can relieve stress and reduce your risk of obesity and diabetes. 

What are symptoms of heart disease in women?

Being able to recognize the symptoms of heart disease can save your life or the life of a loved one. The most common symptom of heart disease is pain or discomfort in the chest, ranging from a mild ache to feeling a heavy weight on the chest.

Typical symptoms of heart disease for a man, however, may not be typical for a woman. While some women with heart disease may experience chest pain, others may feel a wide range of more subtle symptoms—including severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, and shortness of breath. These could indicate that the heart is responding to a lack of oxygen. But in women, these symptoms may be misdiagnosed as a panic attack, flu, or indigestion. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms

What should I ask my health care provider about heart disease?

Your health care provider is your partner in heart health. It is important to feel comfortable with your provider and visit him or her regularly, even when you feel healthy. One key to working well with you health care provider is to know what questions to ask. Below are some examples:

• What tests should I have, and how often, to monitor my risk factors for developing heart disease and stroke?

• What do my test results mean? Do I have heart disease?

• What sort of treatment plan do you recommend? Can you help me plan a safe exercise program?

• What are the possible side effects of medications I’ve been prescribed?

Anne L. Taylor, M.D., is a cardiologist and associate dean for faculty affairs at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She also is co-director of the Women’s Health Center of Excellence. Dr. Taylor is currently Chair of the Steering Committee for the African-American Heart Failure Trial, a national, multi-center trial seeking therapy for congestive heart failure. This column is an educational service of the University of Minnesota. Advice presented should not take the place of an examination by a health-care professional. For more health-related information, go to http://www.healthtalk.umn.edu/