Basic HTML Version
HEART HEALTH
MAYBE
you
’
re into Roller
Derby or rock climbing—nearly
every woman enjoys a little risk now
and then. An exotic trip, a fashion
makeover, a new romance—risks can
be thrilling and fun.
But if you
’
re taking risks that in-
crease your chance of heart disease,
you
’
re risking too much.
Heart disease is
the No. 1 killer of
women in the U.S.,
according to the Na-
tional Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
The most common type of heart
disease is coronary heart disease
(CHD). It can lead to heart attack,
heart failure, arrhythmias and sud-
den cardiac arrest.
CHD occurs when blood vessels
that feed the heart become lined with
plaque, a fatty substance that forms
when there is too much cholesterol
in the blood. As plaque slowly builds
over time, it narrows the arteries and
reduces blood flow to the heart.
Plaque can also rupture. When
that happens, blood clots form
inside the artery. If clots get large
enough, they can block blood flow to
the heart. This is the most common
cause of a heart attack.
Not your father
’
s heart disease
CHD can develop without symp-
toms, particularly in women. When
symptoms are present, angina—or
chest pain—is the most common.
Men and women can experience
angina differently. For example, men
often report pressure or squeezing in
the chest and arms. Women can have
the same symptoms but might also
feel a sharp, burning pain in their
chest. Women are also more likely to
notice pain in their neck, jaw, throat,
abdomen or back.
Men and women
can also have dif-
ferent heart attack
symptoms. Chest
pain is the most
common symptom overall, but only
half of the women who have heart
attacks have chest pain, notes the
NHLBI.
During a heart attack, women are
more likely than men to report back
or neck pain, indigestion, nausea,
vomiting, extreme fatigue, trouble
breathing and light-headedness.
Compared to men, women are less
likely to have pain in their left arm
or break out in a cold sweat.
Diana Rinkevich, MD, is Medical Director of the CMH/OHSU
Cardiology Clinic and Director of the Heart Disease inWomen
program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
An associate professor at OHSU, Dr. Rinkevich’s clinical and
research interests are heart disease in women, microvascular
dysfunction as a cause of chest pain in women with no
angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease, and the use
of noninvasive tools for the diagnosis and treatment of heart
disease.
To schedule an appointment, call
503-338-4087
.
Regardless of the specific symp-
toms, if you think you’re having a
heart attack, get help right away. Early
treatment can limit heart damage.
Try these things
Of course, it’s far better to take
care of yourself so that a heart-related
emergency never occurs. There are a
number of things you can do:
If you smoke, work hard to
quit.
Tobacco smoke damages and
narrows blood vessels and makes it
more likely that blood clots will form
inside arteries. By quitting, you cut
your heart disease risk in half after
one year, according to the NHLBI.
Choose heart-healthy foods.
A
diet low in saturated fat, trans fat,
salt and sugar and high in fiber,
whole grains, and fruits and vegeta-
bles can help protect your heart.
Stay active.
Like a good diet,
regular physical activity makes cho-
lesterol, blood pressure and weight
easier to manage. Start out slowly, and
try to exercise for 30 minutes a day on
most—if not all—days of the week.
Manage stress.
Stress can nar-
row arteries and raise blood pres-
sure. Some ways of reducing stress
include:
w
Sharing your feelings with
supportive people.
w
Staying active.
w
Taking part in a stress manage-
ment or relaxation program.
Finally, remember this: Taking a
risk can be exciting and can some-
times change life in a good way. But
when it comes to your heart’s health,
it’s best to play it safe.
Don’t risk it
W O M E N A N D H E A R T D I S E A S E
For women, back or neck pain
or extreme fatigue can be
symptoms of a heart attack
Your expert on heart disease
Diana
Rinkevich,
MD
www . columbiamemorial . org
w
3