Yes, we know that your hearts are a-flutter this month, but the ticker, in the literal sense, deserves your attention every so often. Heart disease is a broad term and can be grouped as congenital and acquired, explains Dr Emerita Co-De Leon, who specialises in internal medicine / cardiology at the American Mission Hospital. “Congenital heart diseases are structural defects in the heart, mostly detected during infancy or at birth. Acquired heart diseases, or cardiovascular diseases, afflict adults as a result of several factors – most commonly, blockage in the arterial supply of the heart muscle, among others.”
In women, while the chance for heart disease, in itself, increases with age, the hormone oestrogen, plays a role in upping the risk after menopause. Dr Emerita says: “Oestrogen is believed to have a good effect on the inner lining of the heart’s arterial walls, making the blood vessels more flexible. It must be in balance with progesterone, another important hormone, for proper body functioning and overall health and well-being. During menopause, oestrogen levels fluctuate and progesterone decreases. This in turn reduces the positive effect of thyroid hormones on our body’s metabolism, which tends to slow down during the menopausal stage, leading to an increase in body fat. This may be a reason for women to develop cardiovascular disease.”
Other risk factors (true for both men and women) are prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia (elevated blood cholesterol levels), and chronic renal diseases. Smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are also known to increase the chances for the disease. Non-modifiable factors, like age and family history, also need to be considered.
“One of the best things we can do is to understand and check our personal risk of developing heart problems and find ways to lower it,” says Dr Emerita. “The choices we make every day play a large role in determining the outcome.”
Positive lifestyle changes are very important and can help to prevent cardiac disease. These include:
• Making healthy food choices, eating more plant-based and less processed foods
• Losing weight if needed
• Quitting smoking or not starting the habit
• Reducing stress
• Getting enough sleep
• Limiting alcohol intake to one drink a day or less.
• Keeping a tab on your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels
The absence of obesity will not guarantee immunity from disorders of your ticker. “Even patients with normal weight may have hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels which can still put one in danger,” says our expert.
IS THIS A HEART ATTACK?
It is important for women to remember that symptoms of an attack may differ from women to men. The infamously typical chest pain, (described as crushing mid-chest pain or chest heaviness), may or may not be a tell-tale sign. Atypical symptoms include:
• Unusual or extreme tiredness
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Nausea or vomiting
• Upper body discomfort or indigestion (back pain, jaw pain without any chest pain or pressure)
• Palpitations
• Trouble sleeping
• Sudden anxiety or confusion
Women are advised to seek immediate medical consultation if there is a nagging feeling that something is wrong. The latest report from the European Society of Cardiology states that women tend to wait longer in calling for help when heart attack symptoms occur. If you suspect the worst, call for help or dial the emergency number 999. The patient can chew a total of 300mg of aspirin while waiting for medical attention, providing that there is no contraindication to the medicine.
