Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for all women – taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Together with the AHA, Rochester Regional Health is empowering women to take control of their heart health by highlighting risk factors unique to women and how they can take preventative measures to stay healthy. This conversation is part of the Red Chair Series – a series of conversations with leaders in healthcare highlighting heart disease prevention with a focus on many areas, including women’s health, rural health, preventive care, genetics, and maternal & infant mortality.
As the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart health for all, AHA strives to help everyone take on health challenges through a series of key initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities. Uzma Iqbal, MD, a cardiologist and Program Director for Women’s Heart Health and Cardio-Oncology with Rochester Regional Health, discusses some of the ways women can recognize signs of heart disease, be proactive about their heart health, and when they should seek treatment.
Heart disease symptoms and risk factors for women
Chest discomfort – also described as tightness or heaviness – is the most common symptom for both men and women when it comes to heart disease.
But women can experience symptoms different from men, including:
- Abnormal sensation in upper body
- Tingling sensation/sharp pain along arm, neck, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
Similar to symptoms, risk factors for heart disease are the same among men and women. They include high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, smoking and family history.
For women, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can increase their risk, along with breast cancer and breast cancer treatment-related issues. Pregnancy-related health issues can also raise a woman’s risk of heart disease, including:
- Preeclampsia
- Miscarriage
- Gestational diabetes
Health disparities for women with heart disease
Women also face a higher risk of heart disease if they are of certain races and ethnicities.
Studies show African American, Hispanic, and South Asian women also face increased risk of developing heart disease because heart disease underrecognized, undertreated, and underrepresented.
Dr. Iqbal encourages women to take charge of their heart health by knowing their numbers and keeping track of them regularly.
“Women need to know their numbers. They need to know what their blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol should be – similar to needing to know if a mammogram was normal or abnormal,” Dr. Iqbal said.
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