Why women need to take better care of their hearts.
MiNDFOOD sits down with cardiologist, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw to discuss women’s heart health and why your heart should be your top priority.
Why do you think we generally view CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) and heart attack as an older man’s health issue?
The perception that CVD is largely an older male health issue is largely due to media advertising. It’s also because women are protected by estrogen and generally present symptoms approximately 10 years later than men with heart disease.
That being said, young women can also suffer from CVD and heart attacks. Men also tend to present more with the classic central crushing chest pain and some women present with atypical symptoms for a heart attack. Only last week I had a 42-year-old female present with all the symptoms of classic chest pain and it wasn’t until I saw her, that we diagnosed heart disease that ultimately needed a bypass surgery to fix.
It really important for people to realise that women do suffer from CVD disease as well. I am part of the Heart Foundation’s campaign called making the invisible visible, which is promoting women and heart disease.
What should women, particularly younger women, be wary of regarding their heart health?
Women should realise the importance of taking care of their body, even at a young age. The bad habits that they develop are really hard to stop later in life. They should make eating healthy and regular exercise part of their everyday routine. They should not take up smoking or quit smoking if they already smoke. I always tell my patients that they can’t pick their parents (and the genetic profile they receive from their parents) but they can make changes to their lifestyle which are totally in their control.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions women hold about heart health?
Many women are busy looking after others in their life, like their children and partners, and neglect to look after themselves. They think that it will never happen to them. But the reality is, heart disease does affect women, and if they ever get any symptoms and feel generally unwell, then they should seek medical advice.
Are there any other women’s health conditions which increase their risk of heart problems?
All the classic risk factors apply to both men and women, which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking, being overweight/obese and a family history of cardiovascular disease.
It’s important to point out that women who suffered from pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) or gestational diabetes have been found to have an increased risk of developing CVD later in life. I don’t think this is general knowledge and I am working with the heart foundation to educate patients and doctors about this important message.
What are some immediate lifestyle changes a woman can make to improve her heart health?
Making adjustments to your lifestyle can go a long way in ensuring your heart runs smoothly into your later years. Heart rate-based interval training is a great way to increase your heart’s fitness. Adding regular workouts that use this style of training, like Orangetheory Fitness, will ensure you’re exercising in a way that maximizes the health benefits from your workout. This, combined with healthy eating and no smoking, will go a long way to improving your heart health.
