It is family history. A woman in her middle years races only in the clinic of a doctor with complaints of a career or feel his heartbeat an...
It is family history. A woman in her middle years races only in the clinic of a doctor with complaints of a career or feel his heartbeat and shortness of breath. The woman at home 45 years subject to the usual range of heart tests. the stress test, as their normal coronary arteries appear on coronary angiography is clarified. The woman will introduce rightly, that all is well. Six months later, she suffers a heart attack and dies.
This scenario shows how deceptive and misleading lead today with the biggest health challenges in a delay symptoms in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, including India. "The heart disease among Indian women is one of the leading causes of death, six times more than breast cancer," says Dr. Ashok Seth, chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi. Despite the statistics, all the attention of "bikini diseases" such as breast cancer and reproductive system reduces the risk required.
The symptoms differ
Women heart disease manifests differently than men, because of their unique biology and physiology. Unlike in the case of men who do not chest pain. "The symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety and sometimes even the flu are more common in women," says Dr. Seth.
The diagnosis is a complex issue for other reasons. The blood vessels are smaller and organized differently in women, while nonobstructive heart disease is more common than obstructive diversity. Therefore, the arteries are normal appear on coronary angiography. "But that does not not rule out heart disease," said Roopa Salwan, Director of myocardial infarction program (against heart attacks) and Senior Consultant (interventional cardiology), Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi.
Sometimes the symptoms can "Heart Syndrome X", understood a bad condition that is not life-threatening. "Cardiac Syndrome X microvascular angina, which usually treated with medication," said Siddharth Dagli, cardiologist consultant at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai.
Now, this is not the only source of confusion. False positive and negative results of diagnostic tests, such as stress testing and stress thallium are more common than in women. "CT scans (combinations processed by many X-ray measurements by computer) are needed to confirm a diagnosis," says Dr. Salwan.
The problem of man
culturally and socially rooted notions that the cycle of dangerous ignorance affects heart disease not perpetuate women. Heart disease is traditionally a male disease. So if a woman complains of symptoms such as dyspnea and / or fatigue, all around him, including rarely attributed to doctors at a heart problem debt.
The problem is that women perpetuate this belief by refusing to make the diagnosis. "They refuse even to accept that the # 1 killer of them," says Dr. Salwan, a 2016 study cited, which confirmed that heart disease is "a murderer equal opportunities".
Coronary heart disease is the most common disease in women, and if not diagnosed, often leads to heart attack, angina, heart failure and rhythm disorders. Currently there is no representative monitoring data at national level on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease either. Recent reports suggest that 30 to 42 percent mortality rate between the sexes is due to this. "5-6 percent for women and men from 10 to 11 percent lower than the incidence," said Dr. Seth. "It's twice it was 20 years ago. "Despite the growing number of women with heart disease, but the rooms do not reflect increased heart clinics.
change profile
One of the women is to develop heart disease today the danger. in the hospital, a 2016 study by the National Heart Institute shows the number of patients the state of the art in Delhi after rising 10 percent within five years of the study admitted. The young, premenopausal women, at least half of the patients.
This is no surprise to experts who say that the profile of the heart condition of the victim has changed in the last decade. "Affected At one point, the heart disease usually post-menopausal women," says Dr. Salwan. Today childbearing age women have the high-risk category are connected. Heart disease is only one non-transferable from a variety of disorders problems have public health. Obesity Spiral, diabetes and high blood pressure fuel epidemic of heart disease. Risk factors such as smoking and family history are for men and women.
But here's the twist. An underlying medical condition such as type 2 diabetes makes women five times more likely to heart disease than men die. Gender bias does not end there. Smokers are 25 percent more likely to develop heart disease than men. Other female-specific problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome and menstrual disorders make women prone to metabolic syndrome, another disease heart disease is involved.
Finally vulnerability of women heart disease is increased by emotional factors such as depression and unresolved stress at home and work environments. new life in old age is a major risk factor for heart disease. "Women living today juggles a high-powered career with roles as mothers, wives and daughters to put them under high stress," says Dr. Dagli.
preventive measures
At least 80 percent of heart disease can be prevented. Whether men or women, "the way for a healthy heart, a healthy lifestyle that mindful eating, regular exercise and effective stress control include" advises Dr. Seth. Both groups said Dr. Dagli must take steps to reduce the risk of narrowing of the main arteries with age.
The early detection of heart disease has the best possible results. "Regular checks are recommended for middle-aged people to recognize risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, CRP, smoking, obesity and diabetes," says Dr. Seth.
should not family history of heart disease be ignored, especially if there are signs of discomfort during movement. Pay attention to the possibility of heart disease can be the difference between life and death. "Doctors should not ignore the symptoms that are new and intermittent front prodromal cardiac episode, but later resolved," says Dr. Salwan.
effective stress management is also crucial to the health of the heart. "That depends cardiovascular health of women on their mental health and emotional well-being," says Kamna Chhibber Fortis Healthcare. clinical psychologist, which the Department of Science and mental health of behavior derives hospitalized talks, developing relations and normal social interactions foster care, to improve the well-being and reduce the vulnerability of women heart problems. "Make sure that you find joy, take regular breaks and discuss issues of concern to someone you trust. "
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Tips to reduce risk
- Smoking cessation or at least cut
- Weigh yourself often. reduce walking, running or yoga obesity
- Keep a check on the sugar levels in the blood and cholesterol
- Choose monounsaturated fats such as olive oil or canola oil for cooking. Replace calories a serving of almonds and nuts.
- Eat five servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Cut the sugar and salt. Stick to homemade food.
- maintain socialize regularly and supportive relationships. Add fun activities during the week.
- Let annually vaccinated against influenza. Do not ignore signs of discomfort, no matter what they seem to be harmless.
(The author is a biologist who writes about medical issues and health.)
