Why women should heed their hearts
March 2, 2020
By Jeffrey Van Hook, D.O., interventional cardiologist, and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at the Heart and Vascular Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
Why women should heed their hearts
Many women may think the signs of a heart attack are immediately recognizable: gasping for air, clutching one’s chest, and falling to the floor. However, some women don’t experience the typical chest pressure commonly associated with a heart attack. For these women, symptoms might seem more like those of the flu—extreme fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath without chest pain, or nausea.
Other symptoms can include neck, jaw, shoulder or back pain; pain in pressure in one or both arms; indigestion; or excessive sweating. These symptoms can come on slowly and persist over time, so vigilance is incredibly important.
Even though these symptoms might seem less serious, the outcome can be just as fatal. Women who are experiencing these symptoms should call 911 immediately.
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. and the number one killer of men and women in New Jersey. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you to prevent or manage it. These steps include:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Finding healthy ways to manage stress
- Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation—if at all
AtlantiCare offers a wide range of classes and services to help transition into and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. As the region’s only full-service cardiac program, we also offer Ornish Lifestyle Medicine™, a nationally recognized, scientifically proven cardiac rehabilitation and support program.
Conditions or life stages including diabetes, depression, inflammatory disease, or menopause can raise a woman’s risk of heart disease. Smoking, inactivity and a family history of heart disease are other risk factors. The good news is that up to 80 percent of heart disease is preventable when you know and control your risk factors. I encourage you to take AtlantiCare’s free and easy Heart Risk Assessment to determine your risk.
If you find you’re at risk, AtlantiCare’s board-certified cardiologists can help you develop a comprehensive care plan. Call 1-888-569-1000 to schedule an appointment.
