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Silent Heart Attacks: Women's Health Alert
17 Feb
Summary
- Women often experience subtle heart attack symptoms mistaken for other issues.
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women globally.
- Regular heart check-ups are crucial for women, especially from their 30s.
Women are experiencing heart attacks with symptoms that differ significantly from traditional warnings. These often include unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or dull pain in the jaw, neck, or back, frequently attributed to stress or muscle strain. Such atypical presentations can lead to delayed diagnosis, as heart attacks in women are frequently considered silent.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide, a statistic that demands greater attention. Factors like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can involve insulin resistance and other risk factors, along with stress, smoking, and alcohol, contribute to heart disease prevalence in women. While estrogen offers some pre-menopausal protection, it is not absolute.
Medical professionals stress the importance of early detection through regular cardiac evaluations. For women, this ideally includes an electrocardiogram (ECG), Echo, and stress test, recommended in their 30s if there's a family history, or in their 40s otherwise. Addressing these risks proactively is vital for improving heart health outcomes among women.
