According to Dr. Arun Kumar Ullegaddi, Consultant, Department of adult Cardiology, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru (India), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, in which women are equally affected by men. However, women face many particular challenges when it comes to cardiovascular health due to differences in biology, hormones and lifestyle factors.
Symptoms of heart disease are different and difficult to recognize
Unlike men who often have obvious symptoms of breast pain, women may experience unusual signs of heart disease such as shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, pain that spreads to the jaw or neck, unusual sweating and feelings of anxiety. Because these symptoms are often mistaken or overlooked, many women are diagnosed late or receive un timely treatment.
The effects of hormones and physiological changes
Women experience many hormonal changes throughout their lives, especially during menopause when estrogen levels drop sharply. Estrogen plays a protective role in the heart by keeping blood vessels flexible and reducing bad cholesterol. Decreased estrogen levels increase the risk of atherosclerosis, increased cholesterol and blood clotting, which can easily lead to serious cardiovascular diseases.
microceited and small artery disease
Women are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, which affects the small arteries that nourish the heart. This is a disease that is more difficult to detect and treat than large coronary artery disease, increasing the risk of complications and death if not diagnosed early.
Special risk factors in women
In addition to factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, women also have their own risk factors such as pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes), autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), diseases that increase the risk of heart disease. Smoking is also more dangerous for women than men.
Challenges in awareness and care
Dr. Arun Kumar Ullegaddi said that many women are not fully aware of their risk of heart disease, often take warning signs lightly and do not proactively examine their cardiovascular health. In addition, the health care system also needs to raise awareness to detect and treat women promptly.
