Did you know that women are more prone to heart disease than men due to some unique risk factors? 1 out of 5 women dies due to heart disease. However, it can be prevented by understanding the risk factors and taking necessary steps to manage them. Learn what unique risk factors in women cause heart disease and the preventive measures you can take to prevent them in this article. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.

Unique Risk factors for heart disease in women

Several unique risk factors in women make them more prone to heart disease than men, including:

1. Menopause:

When women age and naturally transition from perimenopause to menopause, their estrogen levels significantly drop, which causes symptoms like sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol), an increase in fat (triglyceride) levels, and a decrease in good cholesterol (HDL), that increase their risk of heart disease.

1. Pregnancy complications:

During pregnancy, women experience a number of conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and high blood pressure that increase the risk of developing heart disease later in life. Additionally, preterm birth, abruption, infertility, and fertility treatments also increase the risk of heart disease.

1. Heart rhythm disorders:

Women are more prone to conditions like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which cause palpitations and fatigue, common signs of heart disease.

1. Hormonal changes:

The age when a woman experiences her first period affects the lifetime risk of heart disease and stroke. That’s why women are at a higher risk of heart conditions and stroke if they get their period early before the age of 12 or late after the age of 14. This happens because during menstruation, a woman’s body goes through hormonal changes that influence factors like blood pressure, stress, and weight, which increase the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke. That’s why if you experience irregular menstrual cycles, it may be linked to an elevated risk of heart disease or stroke along with other related risk factors, like diabetes.

1. Hormonal contraceptives:

These contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy, which may increase the risk of heart conditions and stroke, because they put you at risk of blood clots or worsen existing risk factors. You must discuss hormonal contraceptives with your healthcare provider to select the best option for your case.

1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS):

It is a common hormonal condition that affects women in their reproductive years, which can increase the risk of obesity, high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and depression, all of which lead to heart disease and stroke.

1. Systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders:

Some systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders like lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis can degrade the protective layer on vessels, which may lead to high blood pressure, increased plaque in arteries, and high cholesterol, all common risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Its treatment also affects heart and brain health, increasing the risk for heart disease.

1. Breast cancer treatments:

Breast cancer treatment options such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy can lead to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, blood clots, and damage to heart function, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Prevention Strategies for heart disease in women

Several prevention strategies can help women prevent heart disease risk factors, including:

1. Check your risk factors:

The best way to prevent heart disease is to find out the risk factors you have and take necessary action to manage them. The most common risk factors of heart disease are:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Family history of heart disease

Obesity is also one of the common risk factors that can lead to the development of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes, all of which increase the risk of heart disease. Besides family history, all other factors are manageable, which lowers your risk of heart disease.

1. Consume a heart-healthy diet:

Your diet plays a significant role in heart disease prevention. You should focus on consuming whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats while cutting red meat, pork, and high-fat dairy from your diet. Also, limit your salt and sugar intake. All these dietary changes can help you manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels while ensuring good heart health.

1. Stay physically active and manage your weight:

Staying physically active throughout your day most of the time allows you to get amazing health benefits. It helps you manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; factors that contribute to heart disease. It also helps to manage your weight, which, if higher than the ideal weight range, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and type 2 diabetes. Losing weight, even by small margins, can make a significant difference in these factors, lowering the risk of heart disease. So, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. You can choose your favorite physical activity like walking, running, swimming, etc.

1. Quit smoking (if you do):

Smokers have twice the risk of heart attack as nonsmokers, and women are more significantly affected by smoking than men. It can damage your blood vessels by shrinking them and making their lining sticky, as a result, blood clots and poor blood circulation happen, which can lead to heart problems. Consult with your healthcare provider to join programs and treatments that help you quit smoking.

1. Listen to your body:

If you feel something is off – whether it’s an unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, excessive sweating, etc., you should not ignore it. These symptoms might indicate a heart attack, so take timely action when you notice them by calling 911 or the local emergency number to prevent life-threatening complications.

Women often suffer from more heart problems than men because of the unique risk factors mentioned above. Make sure you follow the above-mentioned preventive strategies to manage the risk factors of heart disease to keep your heart healthy and safe in the long run.

Need help with heart problems? Visit our cardiology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. For any cardiovascular problems, call us on +1(347) 384-5690. The Cardiologists at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Doral Health & Wellness Cardiology Brooklyn can improve your health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.