February and March are important months for women, specifically because during those two months we focus on women’s heart health and women’s history. Historically, women have had a negative history of heart health. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. women? This is a surprising fact for many, especially because it can affect women at any age according to the CDC. In 2021, nearly 311,000 women succumbed to heart disease, translating into one in every five female deaths.
The most common types of heart disease in women are coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Symptoms can seem vague, questionable, or even absent to those experiencing them. How many of you have experienced nausea, vomiting, or fatigue recently? Did you suspect heart disease? Chances are, you probably did not.
Heart Disease Symptoms
- No symptoms at all
- Angina
- Pain in neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Persistent or excessive tiredness or sudden fatigue
- Heart attack
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Feet, ankle, legs, abdominal swelling
Remember “one in every five female deaths” are attributed to heart disease. Risk factors for heart disease in women include having a history of ailments such as high blood pressure which impacts 44 percent of reproductive age women. High blood pressure is frequently underdiagnosed, with less than one in four women with high blood pressure having it well-controlled. In addition, Black women are nearly 60% more likely to experience high blood pressure than White women. Further, pregnant women with high blood pressure are at twice the risk of developing heart disease later in life compared to pregnant women without. High blood pressure also presents in one of every eight pregnancies in the U.S.
Other risk factors for heart disease include:
-
- High, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
- Unhealthy eating patterns
- Physical inactivity
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress and depression
- Having an early first period before 11 years old
- Having an early menopause, before 40 years old
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- A preterm delivery
- A low or high birth weight infant delivery
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Recognizing social and cultural impediments to a fully actualized health journey must be a part of all healthcare, including for women who are responsible for 80% of medical spend for their families, but sometimes delay care for themselves. Helping women understand the importance of lifestyle choices and prioritization of care is critical especially when it comes to heart health, and for their overall health.
Discover the importance of differentiating healthcare for women in the Risk Strategies white paper, Women’s Health Challenges, Conditions, and Care Approaches.
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The contents of this article are for general informational purposes only and eBen makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein. Any recommendations contained herein are intended to provide insight based on currently available information for consideration and should be vetted against applicable legal and business needs before application to a specific client.
