Her Heart Health: Important Things Every Woman Should Know

Cardiology | by Dr. Sabyasachi Pal | Published on 14/08/2024

Over the past two decades, heart diseases have become very common, and these affect people irrespective of their age or gender. Though you must have read many blogs and articles related to general heart health, in this blog, we will talk about some important facts related to female heart health that every woman out there should know about. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms and might have heart issues, book your appointment with the best cardiologist in Kolkata, BM Birla Heart Research Center. 

What is good heart health?

In simple words, good heart health means having an efficient and strong heart that can pump blood efficiently throughout the body. With good heart health, the body can maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding stress is the key to good heart health. Apart from this, there are several heart health tips, which can help people to maintain good heart health. 

Heart diseases are becoming a growing concern as they happen to be one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. If we talk about women alone, almost 1 out of 3 women is living with some sort of heart problem. Not only this, heart diseases are responsible for one in five female deaths. Various Studies and Research conducted over the years have indicated that there are slight gender-based differences in heart diseases. Experts from the best heart hospital in Kolkata suggest that there are certain heart problems that specifically, or predominantly affect women.

Early warning signs of heart disease for women

The symptoms of heart attack are the same for men and women. However, women can have a completely different experience when having a heart attack. While chest pain is a common sign experienced by both genders, women may also experience certain atypical symptoms. As many women don’t know about these symptoms, they tend to take them lightly. It is very important to seek immediate help if you are experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, back pain, dizziness, jaw pain, lower chest discomfort, upper abdominal pain, and severe fatigue. Apart from this, there are a few other pre-heart attack symptoms for women, which you need to know about - 

• Chest pain: It is pertinent to note that chest pain in women can also be caused by problems in the small blood vessels. Such problems are usually overlooked and these require more detailed evaluation and assessment. Such small blood vessels are commonly referred to as microvasculature.
• Pregnancy complications: These complications can increase the risks of various heart ailments. It includes preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery. If you have experienced any such problem during your pregnancy, it is important to seek proper medical help and go for regular screenings to ensure the safety and well-being of your heart.
• Post-menopause condition: Women are at higher risk of heart disease post-menopause. The estrogen present in our body plays a vital role in protecting our hearts against various diseases, as it helps to increase HDL and lower the levels of LDL. As a woman hits menopause, her estrogen levels drop significantly, thereby increasing her vulnerability to various heart diseases. 

Apart from this, other problems like hypertension or diabetes can trigger heart ailments as well. Excessive smoking is also a major contributing factor. These small blood vessels are very important for ensuring the proper circulation of blood in the body. If they fail to function efficiently, it can result in a deficiency of oxygenated blood in the body. 

How to check heart health?

Checking your heart health involves a combination of heart health tests and self-monitoring. Regularly checking your blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels at home is a good way to analyze your heart health. Apart from this, self-monitoring the symptoms like chest pain, breath shortness, or fatigue is part of the heart health test. For a comprehensive assessment, visit your doctor for regular check-ups. They can perform tests to check heart health like electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiograms, and blood tests to evaluate your heart's condition.

How to improve heart health?

To improve your heart health, you need to follow some important heart health tips. You can lower the risk of heart disease by following the tips that we are going to mention in this blog. Most heart diseases are a result of unhealthy lifestyle practices and eating habits. The best cardiologist in Kolkata suggests that making healthy changes can significantly help to lower the risks. For this, you need to keep the following things in mind - 

• Keep your cholesterol and sugar under control.
• Perform exercise for heart health and stay physically active.
• Make healthy dietary modifications.
• Get rid of extra pounds a bodyweight.
• Keep your blood pressure under check.
• Refrain from smoking.
• Avoid stress or perform stress-buster exercises.
• Eat things that are good for your heart.

Conclusion

Women often tend to ignore the symptoms and take their heart health for granted. It is important to spread awareness and educate yourself and others around you, as your vigilance can save a life. If you wish to know more about your heart health or want to get yourself evaluated, you should consult the experts from the best cardiac hospital in Kolkata.

FAQ

How to check heart health at home?

For analyzing your heart health at home, you should monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and sugar levels. Along with this, watch some of the symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue. It is important to seek medical help after experiencing symptoms.

Is tea good for heart health?

Yes, tea is good for health. Especially, green and black tea contains antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

How does walking help heart health?

Walking lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress. It also helps in maintaining healthy body weight and strengthens the heart muscle. Overall, these things help to maintain good heart health. 

What are the best foods for heart health?

Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats are good for your heart. You can have fish, nuts, and olive oil, but you should limit saturated and trans fat.