Women do not receive timely diagnosis for heart disease
Symptoms of this disease are different in women which delays diagnosis
A recent study has indicated that 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. 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 screened for heart problems.
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.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said:
The risk factors for heart disease in women include the regular ones such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy diet. There are also some specific ones including use of birth control pills, anemia, and menopause.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also Group Editor of IJCP, said:
Some tips for a heart-healthy lifestyle are as follows.
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.
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.
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