If I were to set up a poll and ask you, the fellow readers of Birmingham Moms Blog: “What disease poses the biggest threat to women’s health?” how would you answer? By the numbers, most people would say breast cancer. According to the American Heart Association, only 1 in 5 women views heart disease as her greatest health threat. However, over 50% of women will die of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to 2.6% of women who will die of breast cancer (per American Cancer Society statistics). To rephrase this statistic, 1 in 2 women will die of CVD, compared with 1 in 25 women who will die of breast cancer. One in two, my friend, means either me writing this or you reading this! My intent is not to neglect or disregard the importance of breast cancer or breast cancer screenings, but rather to draw attention to the true risk of CVD, as it claims the life of an American woman each and every minute.
February is National Heart Month, and Friday, February 1st is National Red Dress Day. The goal of Red Dress Day is to raise awareness that heart disease is not what is stereotypically thought of as a “man’s disease”. My goal with this article is to share the active symptoms of CVD in women and to encourage women to take an active stance in the prevention of CVD.
When a man has a heart attack, the classic presentation is substernal chest pain, flushing, and sweats, with radiating pain in the arm, neck, shoulder, or jaw. These symptoms are often described as the sensation of having “an elephant sitting on my chest.” Women can also present in a similar fashion. However, women typically do not have such drastic or obvious symptoms that portend a heart attack. It is not uncommon for women to experience fatigue, nausea, and back or jaw pain during a heart attack, rather than “typical” chest pain. The lack of specific symptoms can lead to a later presentation, larger differential diagnosis, and a delay in cardiac care.
However, the good news is that CVD is largely preventable and you are in control of many of your own CVD risk factors. The first Friday of February is the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign, which brings awareness to the symptoms of active CVD as well as ways to prevent it. As women, we have a tendency to put the needs of others above our own. I know many, many women who can recite their husband’s most recent blood pressure and cholesterol levels but do not know their own. As women, if we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we continue to take care of everyone around us? The goal of the “Go Red for Women” campaign is to encourage women to take control of their own heart health and “know your numbers” (not just your husband’s numbers!) So, on Friday, February 1st, make sure to wear your favorite red dress, and together let’s bring awareness to cardiac disease in women.
Risk factors you CAN control:
- Smoking
- High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- High blood pressure
- Diet
- Diabetes (and “pre-diabetes” or “metabolic syndrome”)
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity and exercise
- Medication compliance
Risk factors you CANNOT control:
- Family history/Genetics
- Age
This is a very brief outline of CVD risk factors and in no way should replace a visit with your primary care physician or cardiologist. Take this as a friendly reminder and a bit of encouragement to meet with your physician this month. Sit down with him/her and discuss the risk factors you CAN change to help live a long, heart-healthy life!
