SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
Recognizing the Symptoms:
Heart attack symptoms are not recognized in over 50% of women.
Heart attack symptoms in women can differ from those in men. While both men and women often report angina - sharp and crushing chest pain - leading up to a heart attack, many women experience atypical symptoms such as:
- Fatigue (unusual or extreme tiredness)
- Shortness of breath without chest pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Indigestion or upper abdominal pain mistaken for gastrointestinal issues
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, or back
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Palpitations or a sense of anxiety
Women are more likely to present with 3 or more symptoms in addition to chest pain.
Conditions that can lead to a greater risk of heart disease for women:
- Certain pregnancy complications (ex. premature birth, diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, preeclampsia)
- Earlier than average menopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
hormonal imbalance, irregular menstrual cycles, infrequent menstrual cycles, elevated androgens
- Systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders (ex. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Cigarette smoking (women have 3x higher risk of heart attack due to cigarette smoking compared to men)
Diabetes (women living with diabetes are 3x more likely to die from heart disease compared to men)
Lifestyle changes have been shown to play a significant role in preventing cardiac events. Peer-reviewed studies consistently demonstrate that a substantial percentage of cardiovascular events can be prevented through modifications in diet, exercise, and other behaviors.
Overall Prevention Potential:
Research suggests that up to 80% of coronary artery disease (CAD) events can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.
Diet and Nutrition:
A heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can reduce cardiovascular events by approximately 30% in high-risk individuals.
Physical Activity:
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease by 20-30% in adults.
Smoking Cessation:
Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50% within the first year of cessation and progressively further in subsequent years.
Weight Management and Diabetes Prevention:
Maintaining a healthy weight and managing diabetes can significantly reduce cardiovascular risks. Weight loss in overweight individuals can lower the risk of cardiovascular events by approximately 40%.
References:
Mayo Clinic. "Heart Disease in Women: Understand Symptoms and Risk Factors." https://www.mayoclinic.org
Wear Red Canada. "Why Women’s Heart Health?" https://wearredcanada.ca/why-womens-heart-health
Nocon et al., European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (2008). This meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality with increased physical activity.
DeVon et al., Circulation (2008). This review highlights the variability in symptom presentation and the need for heightened awareness among clinicians.
Yusuf et al., The Lancet (2004). The INTERHEART study, a large case-control study across multiple countries, identified nine modifiable risk factors (e.g., unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and stress) that collectively account for the vast majority of myocardial infarction cases.
Reference: Estruch et al., The New England Journal of Medicine (2013). The PREDIMED trial demonstrated this reduction in cardiovascular risk with adherence to a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts or olive oil.
Reference: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010), The Surgeon General’s Report on Tobacco Use and Health.
Reference: Wing et al., Diabetes Care (2011). The Diabetes Prevention Program demonstrated the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in reducing diabetes-related cardiovascular risks.
