Bollywood actress and fitness freak Sushmita Sen suffered a heart attack some time back. He had a 95 percent blockage in his main artery. This was told by Sushmita herself in her Instagram video. The risk of heart attack increases with so much blockage, but Sushmita suffered such a huge heart attack.

Today we are telling you about some such symptoms, which can appear in women after the age of 40 before having a heart attack. This information is given to us by Dr. TilakSuvarna, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai.

DrTilakSuvarna says, “Women in premenopausal age are generally at a lower risk of developing coronary artery disease than men their age, as female hormones provide protection. However, this benefit does not hold for women who smoke or have diabetes.

She further added, “Working women often find it difficult to find time to exercise due to the dual responsibilities of work and home. This causes many health problems in women such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which are important factors for the development of coronary artery disease.

Symptoms of heart disease in women

Symptoms of heart disease in women are different than in men and in many cases are not visible at all. Instead of experiencing chest pain, women may show other symptoms such as-

  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Dizziness
  • To sweat
  • Pain in the arms or neck

Shockingly, two-thirds of women who die suddenly from coronary artery disease show no symptoms. Let us know about the causes of heart attacks in women before knowing about the preventive measures.

Causes of a heart attack in women

There are many reasons for coronary artery disease such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity etc. These affect both women and men. But, many other reasons can increase the risk of heart disease in women. Let's learn about them-

Not exercising

Lack of physical activity is the main reason for heart disease.

Diabetes

Women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease than men with diabetes.

Inflammatory diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases can increase the risk of heart disease in both men and women.

Depression

Stress and depression affect the heart of women more than men. In addition, depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle and can increase the risk of other health problems.

Smoking

As we have already told you that smoking in women can increase the risk of heart disease as compared to men.

Menopause

Low levels of estrogen after menopause increase the risk of developing disease in the small blood vessels.

Pregnancy complications

High blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes in the mother. These problems increase the risk of heart disease in women.

Ways to avoid heart disease

1. Don't smoke

If you smoke, you may be at increased risk of coronary artery disease.

2. Exercise regularly

Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week, to reduce your risk of developing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions that increase your risk of heart disease.

3. Eat Healthily

Heart-healthy diets include colourful fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat bread and oatmeal, and lean proteins such as chicken, fish, beans, and legumes. These help in reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease etc.

Also, reduce your salt intake and try to avoid foods high in sugar. A sedentary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy junk food can lead to weight gain and increased risk of various health problems.

4. Get heart screened

After the age of 40, it is necessary to do heart / cardiac screening at least once in 5 years. It helps you in detecting heart disease.

Image Credit: Freepik

DISCLAIMER

Your skin and body are as different as you are. We endeavour to bring you correct, safe and expert-verified information through our articles and social media handles, but still, you must consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.