Symptoms of heart disease in women that you need to be aware of

Heart disease (cardiovascular) can affect both men and women. However, this chronic disease is said to be the number 1 killer in women over 25 years of age in the United States. The death rate is higher than that of men. Health experts conclude that there are differences in the symptoms of heart disease in women, which makes them less likely to get early treatment.

In fact, what are the symptoms of cardiovascular disease that women generally feel? Come on, see the following reviews.

Symptoms of heart disease in women

Men are said to be more at risk of heart disease than women. However, after a woman experiences menopause, the risk increases. This is influenced by changes in the levels of the hormone estrogen in the body.

The hormone estrogen is responsible for controlling cholesterol levels to remain stable. In addition, this hormone also functions to relax smooth muscle in the arteries and keep blood pressure normal. All these benefits can prevent the heart and vessels from being damaged.

After menopause, the level of the hormone estrogen decreases so that its protection against the heart is also reduced. That is why, the risk of heart disease in women will increase after menopause. In fact, so the highest cause of death in women.

In order to prevent heart disease in women, you need to know the various symptoms that are likely to be experienced. For more details, let's discuss one by one the symptoms of cardiovascular disease that are generally felt by women, such as:

1. Angina is not severe and sometimes causes different sensations

The National Institute of Nursing Research states that angina is a very common symptom for women with coronary heart disease than men.

Angina, also known as chest pain, is described as a feeling of pressure, numbness, or stiffness and heaviness in the left chest. These symptoms can last for more than a few minutes or recur and resolve repeatedly.

Although common, some women report that their angina symptoms are not severe, so they sometimes don't notice the symptoms. This is what makes women often late in getting treatment for heart disease.

In addition, some women have also reported that the symptoms of heart disease in these women are described as a burning sensation in the chest, not a compressed chest. The uncomfortable sensation can spread to the neck, left arm, and back.

2. Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders or back

Women are more likely to experience heart attack symptoms than men. This is because women tend to experience blockages not only in the arteries, but also in the small blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Blockage of small vessels is also known as coronary microvascular disease in medical terms.

The occurrence of a heart attack in women as a symptom of heart disease generally involves several conditions, including discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, stomach, and upper back.

This discomfort can also be followed by shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), as well as nausea and vomiting.

Women tend to experience this symptom while resting, or even while sleeping. Symptoms are also very easily triggered by stress.

Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic health website, before the occurrence of a heart attack, many women reported experiencing unusual fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and digestive problems.

One or more of the woman's symptoms of heart disease were felt more than one month before the heart attack occurred.

Symptoms of heart disease in women who need medical attention

Heart disease can cause blood flow to the heart and throughout the body to be disrupted, even blocked. In fact, cells, tissues and organs in the body need oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flow to continue working normally.

If blood flow is interrupted, various fatal and life-threatening complications can occur. That is why, someone who has heart disease needs to get immediate medical care.

If you experience symptoms of chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat, even loss of consciousness, see a doctor or medical service immediately.

After receiving treatment, the doctor will ask you to undergo a series of medical tests, such as an electrocardiography and echocardiogram. This action is done to find out the cause of your symptoms, as well as determine which type of heart disease is attacking you.

Next, the doctor will direct you to undergo the appropriate cardiovascular disease treatment.