Women’s Heart Health

Women's Heart Health

Understanding Risks and Prioritizing Wellness

Would you be surprised to learn that heart attacks are the leading cause of death in women? Women’s heart health has become a top priority for the team at Phoenix Heart. They’re dedicated to helping each woman prevent heart disease, taking the time to create personalized plans that keep your heart in shape and free to love life. To schedule an appointment for preventive cardiovascular care, use the online booking feature or call one of the offices in Glendale, Goodyear, Anthem, Buckeye, Laveen, Cottonwood, and Black Canyon City, Arizona.

Women’s Heart Health Q & A

What Should Women Know About Heart Health?

Statistics show that heart disease is responsible for the death of 1 in 4 women. Here are two additional statistics to highlight the need for women to seek routine preventive heart care:

6%-8% of all women have coronary artery disease
64% of women who die suddenly from coronary artery disease had no previous symptoms

Like other chronic health conditions, cardiovascular disease develops gradually over many years without causing symptoms. Then one day, the first sign of a problem may be a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or stroke.

What Symptoms Indicate a Heart Attack in Women?

When women have a heart attack, they usually don’t develop the sudden, severe, chest pain experienced by men. Women are more likely to have generic symptoms like heartburn, an aching jaw, or an upset stomach. As a result, they often don’t realize the problem is with their heart and they ignore the problem.

Women’s heart attack symptoms include:

Angina (dull, heavy, or sharp pain or discomfort in your chest)
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back
Indigestion, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting
Extreme fatigue

Upper body discomfort
Shortness of breath
Palpitations (fluttering feeling in your chest)
Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen

Since cardiovascular diseases often increase your risk of stroke,

it’s also important to know that women have the same stroke symptoms as men: sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face or body, confusion, vision changes, dizziness, or a sudden, severe headache.

Can Women Lower Their Risk for Heart Disease?

Many of the underlying causes of heart disease can be changed to lower your risk. When you come to Phoenix Heart for an examination, your doctor evaluates your risk factors and develops a customized plan to help protect your heart and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Your doctor offers support for changing risk factors such as:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity

Smoking
Diabetes
Chronic stress and anxiety

You may need more frequent screenings if you’re at a higher risk for cardiovascular problems.

To learn about your risk factors and to receive a complete evaluation of your cardiovascular health, call Phoenix Heart or book an appointment online.

For women who are healthy and at a normal risk for heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends the following screenings:

Blood pressure every two years
Cholesterol levels every 4-6 years
Blood glucose at least every three years