Heart Health in Women
February 02 2025
By Dr. Beth Gullone, Family Medicine, Midwest Medical Center
Cardiovascular disease remains the #1 leading killer of women in the US. Only half of women know this fact. 1 woman dies every 80 seconds due to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease includes ischemic heart disease (such as MI/heart attack), stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, disease of the arteries.
Women and men differ in their risk for and presentation of heart disease. Women also respond differently to symptoms, as well as to prevention strategies and treatment. Further compounding this problem, many physicians have historically underestimated the burden of cardiac disease in women, which can further delay or hinder their care. Women are more likely to die in the year following a heart attack than a man. They are also 50% more likely to be given the wrong diagnosis of a heart attack compared to a man. 64% of women who die of sudden heart disease have no prior symptoms.
Optimal recognition and timely management of acute myocardial infarction (“heart attack”) is critical. Although chest pain is the most common presenting symptom in both men and women, women were more likely than men to present without chest pain and have higher mortality than men, especially in younger age groups. Traditional risk factors for heart disease include age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, inactivity and family history. Emerging, sex-specific risk factors for women include autoimmune disease, gestational diabetes, hypertension in pregnancy, early menopause, menopause hormone therapy, and depression.
The menopause transition is a period of accelerated cardiovascular disease risk. Total cholesterol, LDL, and apolipoprotein B levels increase dramatically from the year before to the year after the final menstrual period. Only 7% of women during the menopause transition report a physical activity level that matches the current recommendation, and less than 20% consistently maintain a healthy diet.
What can you do to improve your health and reduce your cardiovascular disease risk? Follow the “ABCs” of cardiovascular disease prevention.
Assess your risk to determine if low dose Aspirin is recommended for you with tools such as the Framingham risk calculator or the ACC/AHA risk calculator and discuss with your health care provider. While these tools are useful, it is important to know that the ACC/American Heart Association risk scores were determined in predominantly male populations, and their thresholds may not as accurately predict risk in women.
Maintain Blood pressure at <130/80.
Cholesterol control based on personalized risk factors. Cigarettes: use behavior interventions and medications to maximize quit rates.
Diet/weight: emphasis on intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, fish and whole grains; DASH diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure and sugars. Diabetes: all levels of diabetes benefit from control with diet and exercise; use medications as recommended by your health care provider. Exercise: perform >150 minutes/week of moderate exercise or >75 min/week of vigorous physical activity.
Annual exams with a primary care provider are another important step in taking care of yourself and monitoring your overall health. Midwest Medical Center—with health clinics in Galena and Elizabeth—is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 815-776-7381 or visit us online to learn more about our team. www.MidwestMedicalCenter.org.