Medical Minute: Lead with your heart — Safeguarding women’s cardiovascular health

Would you recognize the signs of a heart attack if they happened to you? Because women may experience the signs of a heart attack differently, they may not know what to look for – and that means women run the risk of losing precious time before seeking treatment.

For Heart Month this year, we spoke with Nicole Kunar, DO, family medicine physician at Beacon Medical Group Ireland Road, about women and cardiovascular disease. She gave us the scoop on how to care for your heart and recognize any signs of trouble.

Heart health essentials for women

People tend to think of heart disease as a male problem, but the truth is that coronary heart disease is the top cause of death for women. That’s why it’s so important for women to take their heart health seriously.

Be particularly aware of the signs of immediate heart trouble that women can experience.

“Common symptoms of heart attack in women include chest pain or pressure, indigestion, pain in one or both arms, upper back pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath and palpitations,” says Dr. Kunar. She adds that there are also more atypical symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

“Symptoms may be less intense or obvious than in men,” she explains. “Symptoms may occur at rest. Or the woman may just feel acid reflux, nausea, or pain in their neck or upper back.”

The reasons for these differences between men and women are varied:

• Women’s hearts and blood vessels are smaller than men’s.
• The walls of women’s hearts tend to be thinner.
• Women’s hearts are affected by menopause.

“Menopause causes a decrease in estrogen that can impact some risk factors that we know affect cardiovascular health,” Dr. Kunar says. “These include abdominal obesity, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

An ounce of prevention

Fortunately, cardiovascular disease risk can be substantially reduced with lifestyle changes. Dr. Kunar recommends the following healthy habits:

• Follow a Mediterranean-style diet that rich in plans and healthy whole foods. “This includes fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats with omega-3s, like fish, avocado, walnuts and olive oil,” she says. This diet is delicious as well as great for your heart health!
• Aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity cardio exercise, such as a brisk walk.
• Don’t smoke.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage stress (Exercise helps many people manage their stress.)
• Manage your blood pressure, blood sugars and cholesterol levels.

Also see your primary care provider regularly and be sure to share any symptoms that are troubling you, such as fatigue or shortness of breath.

Finally, be sure to complete any health screenings your provider recommends. Your primary care provider is a great partner in helping you understand the factors that affect your heart specifically, including family history. And they’re happy to help you get started on some simple ways to protect your cardiovascular health.

Here for you

Looking for a primary care provider? Many Beacon providers are accepting new patients — and online scheduling is easy and convenient. Schedule an appointment today.