What You Need To Know About Post Menopause Heart Disease
As women age and are post menopause heart disease risks increase. Cardiologists recommend that women of this age, especially if they haven't done so before, begin controlling their diet and other heart disease factors like smoking.
Until recently, heart disease was only thought of as a risk for men. Scientists stressed that men needed to control their risk factors, and many heeded the advice.
Recently, however, studies are showing that women, particularly those who are post menopause, haverisk that is equal to men at the same age.
In fact the number one health risk for women is heart disease and is responsible for the deaths of more women than all forms of cancer put together. And, according to the MayoClinic, more women die of heart disease each year than men.
Studies show that most women will likely die during or just after the heart attack, while most men recover and are able go on and lead a normal life.
Cardiologists recommend that a woman who reaches the age of menopause needs to quickly access and control the heart disease risks, because the risks for women increase dramatically. A woman should also:
- Change your diet.
- Stop smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Exercise regularly.
Prior to menopause the levels of hormones are released on a normal basis and at levels that do a number of different things. Estrogen acts as a protectant for the heart helping with, amoung other things, heart attack risk.
However once menopause occurs there is no longer the protective estrogen and the risk of heart disease increases.
Womens Heart Disease Risks
The vast majority of women who suffer heart attacks are those who are post-menopausal and more than half of those women who are not post-menopausal, are smokers.
Not only do the risks for women increase, but it can also be more difficult to identify potential female victims because they simply don't show the same symptoms that men do.
Most men have chest pains. Sometimes the pain moves to their arms, their necks, or their shoulder blades. Occasionally it brings on shortness of breath, sweating and even vomiting.
Women, however, have a quite different set of symptoms. Tiredness and a vague sense that something is wrong with their bodies.
Although women are more likely to be sensitive to their bodies, they are unable to detect serious problems like this. It most cases, a woman's heart attack is not detected until the later and more dangerous stages, which is why they are more likely to die from it.
The good news is that the risks are very similar to those for men and can be prevented for the most part with:
- Eating healthy
- Exercising regularly
- Controlling your cholesterol level and your blood pressure
- Knowing your family history in regards to heart disease
- See your doctor regularly
- Regular blood pressure tests
