7 Myths About Women and Heart Disease
1. Do you know if you are at risk of heart disease?
It's important. Most women have at least one risk factor —diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise or high blood pressure—and many don't know the risks of heart disease and health hazards . Raise awareness of these risks by shedding light on seven myths about them.
2. Myth: More Canadian women will die from breast cancer than from heart disease
Fact: Cardiovascular disease (infarction and stroke) actually kills more Canadian women than breast cancer. "Infarction and stroke kill 7 times more women than breast cancer," says Dr. Michele Turek, a consultant physician at the Canadian Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. "Breast cancer is perceived as a higher risk, but that's not the reality."
3. Myth: Heart disease affects women only after menopause
Fact: Women may be at risk for heart disease at any age. While it is true that symptoms and diagnosis prevail in the menopause years when the natural reduction of estrogen and progesterone makes the woman more prone to cholesterol, body fat intake and high blood pressure, young women do not are not immune. But fortunately there are two moments in her life when a woman can open her eyes. "The first time is during pregnancy," says DreTurek. If she has gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia (two situations that increase her risk of heart disease), she may accept lifestyle changes that will reduce her future risk. The second window is menopause, while she will consult her doctor about her symptoms; risk of heart disease should be part of the discussion.
4. Myth: Heart attack symptoms are the same for women and men
Reality: "Classic symptoms (pain in the arm, jaw, throat, chest) are common in both, but non-chest symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath) are more common in women. They may be present in 38% of women compared to 27% of men, says D.R. Turek. And older women, in particular, tend to experience their symptoms during emotions and stress, not exercise. Women often attribute these symptoms to other causes— age, difficulty reconciling work and family — and do not realize that they may have a heart attack. "Women can have heart problems without knowing it," says Dr. Turek. If you don't feel the way you used to, especially when exercising, carrying heavy things and running out of energy to breathe, these could be signs of heart problems. If women have strange or unusual symptoms, they should seek medical advice immediately.
5. Myth: Exercise should not be exercised if you have heart disease
Fact: Women with heart disease are encouraged to be physically active, as exercise can prevent the progression of the disease. But before you go to the gym, make sure your doctor allows you to do so. "You should only start exercising after a medical assessment," says Turek. If you are taking appropriate medication for your heart, your disease can be controlled and treated, and then you can exercise.
6. Myth: HRT can prevent heart disease
Fact: "If you're in menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) doesn't prevent heart disease," says Dr. Turek. The U.S. Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and Women's Health Initiative (WHI) have both concluded that HRT does not reduce heart risk and should only be used to manage hormone-menopause equation. If you are menopausal and want to reduce your heart risk factors, do not smoke, maintain a normal weight, exercise moderately and eat healthy. "Hypertension or diabetes, two health conditions that can increase your risk of heart disease, can be treated with exercise, proper nutrition and medication," says Dr. Turek.
7. Myth: If you have a family history of heart disease, you will be affected yourself
Reality: Fortunately, this is a myth. "If you follow the guidelines for heart risk factors and quit smoking, eat an appropriate diet and exercise regularly, you may reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack by 82%," says Dr. Turek. With a healthy strategy, you can really reduce your risk even if your family has heart disease.
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