Women's Heart Problems

Heart disease isn't just a man's disease. Heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease are devastating to women, too. According to a United States government website devoted to women's health, "Both men and women have heart attacks, but more women who have heart attacks die from them," because they either ignore the symptoms of a heart attack or do not understand the symptoms.

Types

• The varying problems women can have with their heart are: heart muscle problems such as congestive heart failure, heart valve problems, heart disease such as hardening of the arteries, and heart rhythm problems.

  Congestive Heart Failure or CHF occurs when the heart is unable to properly circulate blood through the entire body. Lowering all your risk factors of heart disease can usually prevent this heart condition.

  Heart valve problems is a condition where one of your heart valves stops working properly. This condition is usually hereditary, or caused by rheumatic fever and strep infections.

  Heart disease is known by other names, including arthrosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This heart problem occurs when plaque (which is made up of fat, cholesterol and calcium) narrows the arteries and decreases blood flow. Lowering all your risk factors for heart disease can help in preventing this problem.

  Heart rhythm problems such as arrhythmias are usually harmless, but some can be life-threatening and cause sudden cardiac arrest. Some arrhythmias can be treated with medications, but again lowering all your risks of heart disease can help in preventing this condition.

Heart Problem Symptoms

• Women sometimes do not recognize they are having heart problems until it is too late.

  The following symptoms could mean that you may have some form of heart problems and you should see your doctor. You don't need to have all of these symptoms to indicate heart problems.

  You are experiencing shortness of breath during activities that never used to cause stress. You notice your feet, ankles and legs swelling. You have discomfort or a heavy feeling in your chest or arm. Your heartbeats are irregular. You experience nausea or dizziness. You have pain or pressure in your jaw, shoulders or neck. You have a cold, clammy feeling and break out in unexplained sweats. Your complexion has become paler. You get feelings of anxiety or weakness when you start a physical activity.

  Call for emergency help immediately if you think you are having a heart attack.

Lower Your Risk Factors

• Certain risk factors will increase your chances of heart problems, but according to the American Heart Association you can modify, treat or control most risk factors to lower your risk.

  Do not smoke.

  Pay attention to your cholesterol. American Heart Association studies show that women's cholesterol is higher on average than men's after the age of 55. High cholesterol is affected by eating foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.

  Keep your blood pressure under control. According to the American Heart Association, women have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they are obese, have a family history of high blood pressure, are pregnant, take certain types of birth control pills or have reached menopause.

  Being obese or overweight can lead to heart problems.

  Exercise can help you control your weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Keep your weight under control and eat healthy, low-fat foods.