Heart Disease in Women: What You Need to Know
Haga clic aquí para español Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the U.S. It takes more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. Yet, many women don’t consider themselves at risk. Heart disease is often labeled as a “man’s disease,” but the truth is that it’s just as deadly for women. Worse yet, symptoms in women can be far more subtle than the classic chest pain associated with heart attacks in men.
Why Women Are Different:
Women’s hearts are physically smaller, and their arteries are more delicate. Hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy complications, and lifestyle factors add layers of complexity to a woman’s heart health. For example, pregnancy-related conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes can increase your heart disease risk later in life. Plus, women often experience symptoms of a heart attack that aren’t immediately recognizable, such as fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath.
What You Can Do Today:
- Get Checked Regularly: Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels should be monitored consistently.
- Stay Active: Even moderate exercise—like walking for 30 minutes a day—can make a significant difference.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking is one of the leading risk factors f
The Link Between Pregnancy Complications and Heart Health
Haga clic aquí para español Pregnancy can tell us a lot about a woman’s future heart health. While it’s a joyful time, pregnancy also places significant stress on the heart. Certain complications during pregnancy can act as early warning signs for future heart disease.
High-Risk Pregnancy Conditions to Know:
• Gestational Diabetes: This temporary form of diabetes can increase your lifetime risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. • Preeclampsia and Eclampsia: These conditions, characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy, can double your risk of heart attack or stroke later in life. During pregnancy, your heart works harder, pumping up to 50% more blood than usual. While the body adapts, these changes can uncover or worsen hidden cardiovascular risks, such as high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms.
Postpartum Risks Are Real:
Heart health doesn’t stop being a concern after delivery. Women who experience pregnancy complications often face increased risks of hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease within 5–10 years. Even women with healthy pregnancies should monitor their heart health as hormonal shifts and lifestyle changes can increase risks over time.
What You Can Do:
Navigating the Healthcare System: Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Heart Health
Haga clic aquí para español Heart disease remains a leading cause of death among women. Despite staggering statistics, women’s heart health often takes a backseat in medical research, public awareness, and clinical settings. From gender biases to disparities in treatment, women face numerous obstacles when seeking cardiovascular care. By highlighting these challenges and equipping women with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves, we can work towards a future where every woman receives the timely, comprehensive, and equitable care she deserves for her heart health.
Understanding the Barriers
Underestimated or Misdiagnosed Health Concerns
Despite the significant impact of heart disease on women’s health, gender bias continues to undermine equitable cardiovascular care. Healthcare professionals often underestimate women’s cardiovascular risk, leading to misdiagnosed or dismissed symptoms. This bias is exacerbated by the lack of sex-specific research, as most clinical studies have historically focused on male participants.
Disproportionate Access to Care
From Awareness to Action: Promoting Heart Health Among Women
Haga clic aquí para español For decades, the heart health landscape has been overwhelmingly focused on men’s cardiovascular needs, while women’s unique symptoms and risk factors were alarmingly overlooked. Over 60 million women in the US live with some form of heart disease, and a shocking 90 percent have at least one risk factor. Yet, many lack the awareness, education, and guidance to safeguard their hearts proactively. Proactively managing your heart health is an essential first step in this lifesaving fight. Through awareness, education, and personalized care, we are determined to eliminate the misconceptions surrounding women’s heart health and enhance the lives of countless women across the nation.
Understanding Your Risk for Heart Disease
Heart disease is an overlooked yet devastating epidemic impacting women across America. Contrary to popular belief, cardiovascular disease is not just a man’s problem – it is THE leading cause of death among women, outpacing all forms of cancer combined. These aren’t just statistics; they represent our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends whose lives are profoundly impac
Beyond the Stereotype: Debunking Myths About Women’s Heart Health
Haga clic aquí para español Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Despite this startling fact, many myths and misconceptions surround women’s heart health, preventing women from taking proactive steps to safeguard their cardiovascular well-being. At HER Heart, we make it our mission to educate the community about the realities of heart disease in women. To do so effectively, we first need to examine and debunk some of the most common myths. Knowing the facts will make it easier for you to prioritize your heart health.
Myth #1: Heart Disease is a Man’s Problem
Contrary to popular belief, heart disease is not solely a men’s problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 5 women in the United States has some form of heart disease. Heart disease is responsible for 1 in every 3 female deaths each year, making it the leading cause of death for women. While certain risk factors, such as age and family history, are shared between men and women, women also face unique challenges, including hormonal changes and gestational complications that can increase their risk of heart disease.
Myth #2: Heart Atta
Know the Signs: Understanding Women’s Heart Health Symptoms
Haga clic aquí para español When it comes to health, few things are more important than your heart. However, for women, the signs that something may be amiss with their heart health can often be overlooked or mistaken for other issues entirely. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, but many don’t recognize the warning signs. While men typically experience chest pain during a heart attack, women’s heart attack symptoms can be more subtle and varied, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. At HER Heart, we understand the unique ways that heart disease impacts women. In this blog, we’ll explore the unique signs of heart trouble in women, helping you understand your risk and empowering you to take charge of your heart health.
Common Heart Disease Symptoms in Women
While the classic symptoms of heart attacks, such as chest pain and arm numbness, are widely recognized, many women may experience different, more subtle signs that can easily go unnoticed. These include:
- Fatigue or overwhelming exhaustion
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Pressure or tightness in the center of the chest
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Other Symptoms to Watch
MyCardiologist, South Florida’s trusted leader in advanced cardiovascular care, is thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Linda Koshy to their valued medical team. Dr. Koshy, a highly skilled general and interventional cardiologist, brings specialized expertise in managing complex coronary artery disease and endovascular medicine, further enhancing the exceptional care provided by MyCardiologist. With board certifications in Interventional Cardiology, General Cardiology, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and Vascular Interpretation, Dr. Koshy’s comprehensive background allows her to treat a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. Her procedural skills include cardiac catheterization and coronary interventions via radial approach, as well as management of arterial and venous diseases through advanced techniques like atherectomy, stenting, and endovenous ablations. Dr. Koshy will offer the full spectrum of cardiovascular care, from prevention to managing heart failure and coronary artery disease.
As part of our commitment to patient care, the MyCardiologist Boca Raton, FL location is expanding to meet the growing demand for cardiovascular services. This expansion means increased availability and enhanced convenience for patients seeking top-quality cardiac care. Meet the dedicated Board-Certified Cardiologists at the MyCardiologist Boca Raton Location: Dr Celso de la Cruz, Dr. David Mishkel, and Dr. Phillip Erwin. These cardiologists provide outstanding cardiovascular care right here in Boca Raton, Florida. Offering convenient same or next-day appointments, these doctors prioritize your heart’s well-being and understand the importance of providing immediate care. They are dedicated to empowering patients to achieve optimal heart health through proactive measures and preventive care. With expertise in the detection and treatment of heart disease, they focus on utilizing external tests to evaluate and diagnose cardiac disorders. As non-invasive cardiologists, they prioritize comfort and well-being while delivering accurate, trusted, and effective cardiovascular care.
MyCardiologist, leading provider of comprehensive cardiovascular care in South Florida, sets new standards in heart health assessment & Cardiac Event Reduction with the addition of the GE Discovery ST16 Whole Body PET/CT System at their West Kendall facility. Utilizing this latest state-of-the-art diagnostic tool sets the gold standard in cardiovascular care, and a testament to MyCardiologist’s commitment to delivering an unprecedented level of insight into patient’s heart health. Click on “Continue Reading” to read the full press release!
South Florida’s leading provider of comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care and services, MyCardiologist, proudly welcomed multiple distinguished heart doctors this summer expanding MyCardiologist to over 50 cardiac providers throughout South Florida. These highly trained, board-certified cardiologists bring a wealth of expertise in various cardiology subspecialties, bolstering MyCardiologist’s mission to provide top-tier, comprehensive heart care. The expansion of their exceptional team reflects a deep commitment to enhancing the cardiovascular health of the community, ensuring that residents in South Florida have access to the finest cardiac care available. Click on “Continue Reading” to see our newest Cardiologists!