6 frequently asked questions about heart disease risk factors in women

• The most common risk factors affecting women are high cholesterol, being overweight, and being sedentary.
• Heart disease can happen at any age, but the risk increases dramatically around the time of menopause.
• Research has shown that just over half of women who have had a heart attack have chest pain. However, for many others, there are only extra-thoracic symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and arm or jaw pain.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN

ARE ANY RISK FACTORS FASTER IN WOMEN?

The most common risk factors affecting women are high cholesterol, being overweight, and being sedentary.

Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes can put women at greater risk of heart disease than men.

Pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease later in life.

WHAT AGE WOMEN HAVE THE HIGHEST RISK OF HEART DISEASE?

Heart disease can occur at any age, but the risk increases dramatically around the time of menopause.

It is not clear why women develop heart disease at a later age than men. However, it is thought that a drop in a woman’s estrogen levels, as well as other changes that occur around this time, may be part of the reason.

If you’re over 45, it’s important to get your heart health checked to understand your risk of developing heart disease.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDREN WOMEN?

Risk factors for heart disease can start early in a woman’s life.

Eating healthy, getting regular physical activity, and not smoking are important behaviors for young women to keep their hearts healthy.

Inactivity and poor food choices can have a significant impact on women’s health.

DOES THE USE OF THE CONTRACTS INCREASED THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE?

For young women, birth control pills are safe.

However, women who smoke while taking oral contraceptives have an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots in the legs and lungs. Having a family history of cardiovascular disease also further increases this risk.

For young women with a history of heart or blood vessel disease, it’s best to discuss the use of oral contraceptives with your doctor first.

DOES HORMONE ALTERNATIVE THERAPY (HRT) PREVENT HEART DISEASE?

HRT, which includes estrogen replacement, has been used for many years to treat short-term menopausal symptoms.

In some women, depending on their doctor’s advice, HRT has also been used after menopause for people with osteoporosis.

There have been many studies on the effects of HRT on the development of heart disease, and based on this study, the Heart Foundation does not recommend Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the treatment or prevention of heart disease.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS IN WOMEN?

Research has shown that just over half of women who have had a heart attack have symptoms of chest pain.

However, for many others, there are only extra-thoracic symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and arm or jaw pain.

It’s important to be fully aware of the warning signs of a heart attack and to shoot if you suspect something is wrong.