It’s heart health awareness month and more than 60 million women in the United States have heart disease. From symptoms that are easy to overlook to everyday habits that matter more than you think, here are five essential things every woman should know about her heart health.
Being informed is the first step to staying well. See board-certified OB/GYN Daniel Esteves, MD, and our staff at his private practice in Lawrenceville and Loganville, Georgia, for a heart-healthy screening.
Here are five important facts to be aware of during American Heart Month this February:
We often think of heart disease as having chest pain or shortness of breath. But heart disease symptoms could present as a racing heartbeat, heartburn, dizziness, fatigue, leg or hand swelling, nausea, or trouble sleeping. You might notice pain in your neck, throat, jaw, back, shoulder, or upper belly in addition to or instead of chest discomfort.
Heart disease isn’t just a disease affecting men. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death among women in the United States and can affect women at any age. More than one-third of women who pass away each year in the United States die of heart disease.
Early detection of high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, and heart disease is critical to reduce your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and similar life-threatening problems. Dr. Esteves offers health screenings that can find hidden signs of a potential concern before it becomes severe.
Your heart disease risk can increase because of lower levels of estrogen after menopause and health conditions linked to pregnancy. For example, having diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy may boost your chance of developing heart disease later in life.
Having a family history of early heart disease elevates your risk. In fact, family history appears to be a greater risk factor for heart disease in women vs. men.
Ways to minimize the chance of heart disease in women include:
It’s also important to keep blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure in check via healthy lifestyle habits and medications when necessary.
See Dr. Esteves for a well woman exam yearly to screen for signs of chronic diseases in addition to breast cancer and gynecological concerns. He also offers prenatal visits.
Let him know anytime you develop new or unusual symptoms and call 911 if you or a loved one experiences signs of a heart attack (chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, fainting, etc.).
Schedule an annual women’s health checkup with Dr. Daniel Esteves by contacting us by phone or requesting an appointment online today.
