Heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country, especially those over 50. But even if women know what it is, health experts say they are less likely to take the symptoms seriously.

There are things to be aware of about heart disease, which is prevalent in both men and women, long before the problem becomes a crisis due to a heart attack.

“I think women will become pregnant later in life because of estrogen secretion.” says Dr. Renee Mushnik of UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in North Central Pennsylvania.

“Before menopause, estrogen protects us a little bit from heart disease, but when estrogen is lost after menopause, the incidence of heart disease increases considerably and is on par with that of men.” she said.

Note that fatigue and shortness of breath can indicate a more serious problem, but are often easily overlooked as byproducts of a busy life.

“They come into my clinic and say, ‘I’m so tired.’ I don’t have the energy that I used to. I’m more short of breath.’ This is a very common symptom and an underlying It’s like a red flag for possible heart disease.” Muchnik said.

Muchnick pointed out that when talking about heart disease, he uses it as an umbrella term to describe both heart failure and coronary artery disease.

Women also tend to spend more time worrying about other members of the family and less attention to what’s going on with their own bodies.

“A lot of times they’re preoccupied with their own lives. You know, they’re always worried about everyone else. And also because their symptoms are often atypical. , just explain, “Well, maybe I’m just not feeling well.” Maybe he has a cold, or maybe he’s not feeling well. Maybe it’s acid reflux. ” I think that’s why women delay their presentations more than men. ” she explained.

When heart disease causes a heart attack, women experience some symptoms that are different from men.

“Typically, chest pain remains the most common symptom when women have a heart attack, but women often present with symptoms atypically.” Muchnik said.

“Sometimes women may experience increased fatigue, nausea, back pain, and lightheadedness. These are some of the atypical symptoms.” she said.

It is also important to know when to seek medical help from your primary care physician rather than going to the emergency room for treatment. The severity of your symptoms will determine what type of care you need.

“If the onset is more gradual, I think it’s easier to talk to your doctor about how to get better.” Muchnik said.

“But if you suddenly feel chest pain and the pain doesn’t go away with rest, you definitely need to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Also, if you have an episode where you feel like you’re passing out, go to the emergency room as soon as possible. I need to go.” she emphasized.

It’s equally important to take proactive steps to minimize your chances of heart disease, especially if you have a family history of heart disease or just want to stay healthy.

“I always tell all my patients, even if they don’t have heart disease, just the basics like a healthy diet. For me, it’s a Mediterranean diet that includes less fried foods and more fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet is therefore a very big part of prevention. And exercise – daily aerobic exercise. Sometimes I tell my patients that at least 3-4 times a week, I tell them to do about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. Those things are going to be really important.” Muchnik said.

“Plus, just knowing your numbers can tell you about your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Once you turn 30, most women should get a baseline cholesterol level, but if you have a family history of It could be even faster.” she said.

Staying in touch with your doctor regularly and not putting off your annual check-up just because you’re feeling well or don’t have the time will help you maintain your health and prevent it from becoming a crisis. Essential for discovering anything.

“If they were in more regular contact with their doctors, they would catch things like this sooner.” Muchnik said.