An Extensive Understanding Of The Symptoms Of Heart Attack In Women

Heart attacks are a common cause of fatality in women. As women get older, the risk of heart attacks also keeps increasing. Heart attacks are a medical emergency that is caused by obstructed blood flow to the heart. Generally, the symptoms leading up to heart attack in ladies go undetected.

Stress, pollution, and poor lifestyle choices are some of the common causes of heart attacks. The symptoms caused by these factors can differ in men and women, making it even more challenging to detect. In this blog, we will discuss the exact signs and symptoms of heart attack in women, its causes, the role of lifestyle and much more.

A] Signs And Symptoms Of A Heart Attack In Women

1. Acute Pain Or Discomfort In The Chest

Acute chest pain is one of the most common pre-heart attack symptoms in females and can be experienced by both men and women. While men usually feel pressure build up in their chest and severe pain. Women, on the other hand, experience squeezing and fullness in their chests. The pain can be constant or recurring with intervals.

2. Pain In The Arm, Back, And Jaws

While men mostly feel extreme pain in their left arm during a heart attack, women can experience pain in their back and jaws as well. This can be extremely confusing as the pain is sudden.

3. Breathlessness, Sweating, And Nausea

Women are more likely than men to face additional symptoms of a heart attack, such as breathlessness, sweating, nausea, and even fatigue. Such symptoms of heart attack in ladies, along with acute pain in the chest, are a sure sign of a heart attack and should not be overlooked.

B] What Causes Heart Attacks In Women

There are several reasons that elevate the risk of heart attacks in women, one of the most prominent ones being age. While women can develop heart problems at any age, the risk of heart attacks is incredibly high during the later years, after menopause. Estrogen produced by women’s bodies keeps them safe from high cholesterol and, by extension heart problems. Post-menopause, women’s bodies do not produce as much estrogen, leading to the development of heart diseases.

In addition, there are several habits that damage your heart, including smoking, alcohol, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and a high-sugar and cholesterol diet. These are manageable causes of heart attacks that every person should avoid, regardless of age or gender. To reduce the risk of developing heart problems and heart attacks, you can refer to our guide about 9 lifestyle changes for a healthy heart.

C] Heart Attack Vs. Heart Failure In Women

Most people use the terms heart attack and heart failure interchangeably; however, any medical professional will tell you that a heart attack and a heart failure are two distinct heart problems. They do have some common causes; however, most similarities end there. 

A heart attack is caused when blood starts to clot in the blood vessels due to narrow arteries caused by cholesterol deposits. As blood can not reach the heart, the heart is left without oxygen. This causes the cardiac cells to start dying. Heart attacks are sudden and can be triggered by a number of reasons.

On the other hand, heart failure develops with time. Heart failure is a chronic condition that makes heart muscles weaker over time which makes it difficult to pump blood. Medication and surgery can improve heart conditions if the symptoms of heart failure can be detected early.

Heart attacks are one of the several causes leading up to heart failure. If a woman has experienced a heart attack, the trauma caused by the attack can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood. If a woman is diagnosed with heart failure, the best course of action in such a case is a heart transplant.

D] Role Of Sleep For A Healthy Heart

If you want your heart to be healthy, you should not ignore the importance of sleep for a healthy heart. Poor sleep can lead to sleep apnea, which in turn leads to blood clots. Sleep also helps to keep the immune and digestive systems healthy. This is crucial for preventing any heart-related problems that lead to heart attacks.

Many women get low sleep due to their commitment to their family chores, work, and unhealthy habits such as staying-up late. This means they do not get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep. There are several methods to improve sleep, such as keeping the bedroom dim, avoiding screen time before bed, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule.

E] How Does Diet Aid In Maintaining A Healthy Heart?

There are several dietary changes you can make to help your heart to function at its finest. First and foremost, you should reduce the amount of salt in your diet along with saturated fats. Processed foods such as burgers, pizza, chips, and mayonnaise are some of the foods that are high in salt and saturated fats you should avoid.

You should include natural food in your diet, such as fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and nutrients. Low-fat dairy products and lean protein are well-known healthy heart foods you should incorporate into your diet. 

F] How Can Changes In Lifestyle Enhance Towards A Healthy Heart?

It may not be apparent to everyone, but our lifestyle has great repercussions on our hearts. Certain lifestyle choices put our heart health in jeopardy, which should be changed on priority. Habits such as regular exercise and practicing breathing exercises to regulate stress can improve heart health.

Urban lifestyle, which is more sedentary, is one of the significant causes of heart attacks. If you want to improve your heart health and reduce the risk of a heart attack, read our complete guide on lifestyle changes for a healthy heart. 

G] What Are Some Basic Exercises For A Healthy Heart?

Physical exercise has several benefits for our mind and body. Being physically active can help to reduce depression, anxiety, and diabetes, along with a host of other health issues. By reducing the risk of such health issues, you can also reduce heart problems.

See our comprehensive list of exercises for a healthy heart to incorporate them into your daily lives and prevent heart attacks. Women need to find time for themselves to ensure they are not increasing their risk of such deadly health problems.

Conclusion 

Heart attacks are a serious health issue that affects men and women alike. The symptoms of heart attack for women might differ from those of men, making it much more difficult to detect. Hence, it is crucial to be aware of the symptoms and causes of heart attack. 

If you experience any symptoms of a heart attack, it is crucial to see an experienced cardiac surgeon at the earliest. Several lifestyle changes, such as good sleep, good diet, and regular exercise, can help to improve heart health. If you are looking for a reputed and experienced cardiac surgeon in Mumbai, feel free to contact us!