When most people think about heart attacks, they typically think about a problem that happens with men. The facts are, however, that over 43 million women are living with some type of heart disease. Women are more likely to die from heart disease than men and they have more of a chance of dying from a heart attack then all types of cancer combined.
These facts might be surprising, and it is because heart attacks are typically associated with men. This is not only covering over the importance of the possibility that a woman may have a heart attack, it puts them at a greater risk. That is due to the fact that when a heart problem strikes, nobody is likely to say that it is due to a heart attack.
Even the media plays on this, making heart attacks seem sudden and dramatic in men. In some cases, the symptoms of an impending heart attack are subtle and could easily be dismissed.
These are the top 5 heart attack warning signs in women:
1. Fatigue
It is true that we all feel tired and we may be tired most of the time, but if you have severe and sudden fatigue, it should not be taken lightly. That is especially true if other symptoms exist.
2. Shortness of breath and sweating
You are likely to ignore a problem with breaking out in a cold sweat, thinking that it might be a flu symptom. It is important to keep track of the symptoms, reporting them if they get worse after you exercise. If you also have chest pain, call 911.
3. Pain in different areas
The pain associated with a heart problem is not always felt in the chest. It may show up as back pain, pain in the arm or jaw pain.
4. Nausea and vomiting
These symptoms may also be dismissed as an illness, but women are more likely to experience this difficulty as a symptom of a heart attack.
5. Pressure in the chest
This may not be an intense pressure, but it could feel like an uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of the chest. You might also not feel it at all. Typically, it comes and goes and only lasts for a few minutes. Some women complain of back pressure that feels like a rope is being tied around them.
Taking a Closer Look at Plaque
Heart attacks occur when oxygen is cut off to the heart muscle because blood flow is cut off. It happens because the arteries that supply the blood slowly narrow as a result of the plaque buildup. The good news is, you can decrease your plaque if you take the right steps.
Preventative Measures:
1. Low sugar
Reduce your sugar intake, as it can improve your health in many ways. Reducing your sugar also reduces your risk for heart attack.
2. Exercise
When you incorporate moderate exercise into your daily routine, you are less likely to have a heart attack. Don’t overdo it.
3. Eat the proper foods
You should be taking as many fruits and vegetables as you can in your diet. It is also good to increase your garlic intake, as it can lower blood pressure. If you don’t like the taste, take a garlic supplement. You can also fight inflammation, which is often associated with a heart attack, by taking curcumin. This is the chemical that gives turmeric a yellow colour.
4. Supplement
You can dilate your arteries with fish oil and taking vitamin C helps to protect the arteries from damage. Vitamin K can also fight against calcification of the arteries, which could lead to a heart attack.
In the end, it is important to pay attention to your health and understand the possible warning signs of a heart attack in women. If you think you are having a heart attack, don’t hesitate to call 911.
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