4 Reasons Women Should Learn About Coronary Artery Disease

Summary: Coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death in women in US. Learn more about CAD and its management here.

It is common misconception that women can’t suffer from heart diseases and preferable heart attack. There is no scientific base to support this claim and women are equally prone to coronary artery diseases (CD) as men. Even the risk of CD is much higher in women as the diagnosis and symptoms can be very tricky. With heart attack being the number one killer in the United States, it is important to have a close track of heart problems especially if you are a woman.

There are many things to know about the heart diseases but there are 4 major reasons that women should know about coronary artery disease. Here we are going to provide you information about these reasons in detail.

The Silent Killer

Heart diseases are becoming leading cause of death for women in US. The reason being unawareness about CAD and its management, only 56% women in US know what the symptoms of CAD are and how to deal with them.

CAD or Coronary Artery Disease is a heart disorder which is caused by gradual build up of fat deposits in the arteries that supply blood to heart. This deposit causes blockage in transfer of blood and oxygen to the heart leading to heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia, heart attacks, and in worse situations even death.

The increase number of deaths among women is simply because they ignore the common symptoms of CAD unlike men. While there are much obvious symptoms in men like chest pain and breathlessness, women usually have mild symptoms. Such symptoms can also occur due to less severe problems like acidity and heartburn. Therefore women usually ignore them.

The Symptoms

It is important for women to be aware of common CAD symptoms and seek immediate medical help if they witness any. Here are some of these common symptoms to consider:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Discomfort, chest pain or tightness
• Weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heartburn
• Indigestion or abdominal discomfort
• Feeling or tightness or pressure in shoulder, jaw, throat or arm
• Burning sensation in upper body

These symptoms should never be ignored and should be dealt with immediate care.

Conclusion

In the end what you need to know about CAD is:

• Women killed by CAD outnumber the women killed by all kinds of cancer combined
• Risk of artery blockage increases with age in women
• Unlike men, women do not witness obvious symptoms of CAD like breathlessness and chest pain
• Risk of CAD increases after menopause because of decreased levels of estrogen

Diagnosis of CAD in women is also challenging owing to the smaller size of hearts and breast tissue. The best you can do is to keep a check on your heart condition. Also go for regular health checkups and avoid poor lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits.

Healthy heart takes you a long way in life and all you have to do is to take care of little things everyday to keep it healthy.

Tampa Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortions, physical examinations, family planning and counseling. Abortion Clinic.

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women. http://www.womenscenter.com/