Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men in the United States.
Although heart disease is responsible for one in every four deaths among women, only 54 percent of women recognize the condition as the number one killer, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Women are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of heart disease and, in general, experience poorer outcomes than men when they have a cardiac episode,” said Dr. Sasanka Jayasuriya, an interventional cardiologist at Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital.
The reasons for the disparities are unclear, but heart attack symptoms unique to women may play a role. Women are more likely to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as heartburn, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and neck, jaw, shoulder and back pain.
“Women have atypical symptoms about one-third of the time, so they may not realize they’re having a heart attack. They often come to the Emergency Department when it’s too late to salvage the heart muscle in jeopardy. Women also have a tendency to take care of everyone else except themselves, so they may ignore symptoms or delay medical attention,” said Dr. Jayasuriya.
Risk factors for a heart attack include family history, smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, excess weight or obesity, and depression. Women of child-bearing age who have experienced preeclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy or had difficulty during labor and delivery are also more vulnerable to heart disease.
“The good news is that women can control many risk factors for heart disease with medications and lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Jayasuriya.
The need for increased prevention and education to raise awareness about women and heart disease lead to the opening of the Yale New Haven Health Women’s Cardiovascular Center at Greenwich Hospital on Valley Drive. The center takes a holistic, team approach to heart health with a cardiologist, registered dietitian and exercise physiologist who work together to tailor an individualized care plan for each patient. The team provides a supportive environment for women to explore their heart health, from identifying risk factors for heart disease to learning about lifestyle changes that can lead to a heart-healthy life.
The hospital is also committed to educating the medical community about the atypical heart attack symptoms women experience, which can be easily misdiagnosed. Unlike men, women are more likely to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as heartburn, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and neck, jaw, shoulder and back pain.
The good news is that women can reduce their risk for heart disease with medication and lifestyle changes. Small steps can have a big impact, such as eating nutritious food, staying physically active and practicing stress-reducing techniques.
Cardiovascular services is one of the beneficiaries of Greenwich Hospital’s annual Under the Stars event on June 22. For the past 20 years, Under the Stars has raised significant funds for women’s and children’s health.
For information about the event, which features a performance by Caroline Jones, please see the ad in this week’s Greenwich Sentinel.
