Heart Disease

The heart disease problem is somewhat different in women than in men. While chest pain is the most common symptom of heart trouble in both sexes, women are more likely to suffer from shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue or jaw pain. Since a heart attack can manifest itself as more of an uncomfortable tightness or heaviness than a sharp pain, the experience may pale next to the agony of childbirth and thus go unchecked. That's why it's essential that women heed symptoms and seek treatment, especially if pain or tightness in the chest lasts longer than five minutes. Forty percent of women who have their first heart attack die of it, also there's no second chance for them.Women may underestimate their risk because heart disease is more prevalent later in life in women. On an average, the risk of death due to heart disease in women is equal to that of men 10 years younger.

Risk Factors
Although the same risk factors that apply to men i.e. high blood pressure, smoking, being overweight or sedentary also applies to women but some risk factors, such as diabetes, play a greater role in women. Diabetes leads to a two- to threefold increase in heart disease among men but a three- to sevenfold increase in women. Also the, high triglycerides (blood fats) and low HDL (the "good" cholesterol) are stronger predictors of cardiovascular disease in women than in men. Hormonal issues, such as premature or surgical menopause without hormone-replacement therapy or using oral contraceptives if you're over 35 and are a smoker, can also increase a woman's risk.

Difference in Symptoms
There are some typical signs that are more common in women than men. Women often report feeling short of breath, or having pain in the back, neck, or jaw. Other frequently seen symptoms of heart attack in women are fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Women also experience heart disease differently than men. Often the signs and symptoms of heart problems especially for coronary artery disease and heart attack are overlooked as indigestion or hormonal changes. Studies show that women are less likely to seek care when they experience chest pain or other symptoms of heart problems. This may be because women are often unaware of the sometimes subtle signs of heart disease and heart attack.

Prevention
One’s chances of getting heart disease can be reduced remarkably by following the steps:

• Keeping a check on the blood pressure.
• Not to smoke or drink.
• Regular check for cholesterol and diabetes.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Search healthy ways to cope with stress.