Misdiagnosed with acid reflux and anxiety, her heart's arteries were blocked
Coronary Artery Disease And Women
There's an old myth that heart disease is a "man's disease." The truth is this: It's the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). You might also hear the name coronary heart disease. Without treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, it can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, and other serious problems.
If you're a woman, you're just as likely as a man to get CAD. But certain aspects of the disease, like the risk factors and symptoms, can be different for you.
When you understand the differences, you can take steps to prevent CAD, spot possible signs of it early, or get treatment for the condition if you have it.
Women are more likely than men to have health conditions or life situations that up their risk for coronary artery disease. Some of these risk factors only affect women, such as:
These risk factors for CAD tend to be more common in women than men:
Some CAD risk factors seem to make a bigger impact on a woman's risk for heart disease than a man's, including:
The strongest of these risk factors for women is diabetes. Research suggests it triples women's odds of getting CAD. It only doubles the chances for men.
About 8 in 10 women between the ages of 40 and 60 years old have at least one risk factor for coronary artery disease. The more you have, the higher your odds of getting CAD. If you have any of these factors -- or think that you might -- ask your doctor what you can do to lower your chances for CAD. Speak up about it even if the doctor doesn't mention it.
Hormonal changes. Before you start menopause, the hormone estrogen helps protect you from getting coronary artery disease. That's because estrogen boosts your "good" (HDL) cholesterol. It also helps your arteries stay flexible, so they can widen to carry more oxygen-rich blood to your heart. After you go through menopause and your estrogen levels drop, your risk for CAD goes up.
Anatomy differences. In general, a woman's heart and blood vessels are smaller and narrower than a man's to begin with. The muscular walls of a woman's heart are also thinner.
Delays in diagnosis. Women are more likely than men to have types of CAD that are harder for doctors to spot, which means it could take longer to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Many women don't have symptoms of coronary artery disease, or they're different from the "classic" ones that men have. Here's how some CAD symptoms look in women:
Chest pain or discomfort. Your doctor may call this angina. Women with CAD are more likely to have angina while resting. Stress is also more likely to trigger it for them. Men with CAD, on the other hand, tend to get worse chest pain when they're active.
Crushing pressure. Women who have angina or have a heart attack often describe the feeling in their chest as crushing, squeezing, pressure, or tightness. This sensation may flare up in the chest or the neck and throat. Call 911 right away if you think you might be having a heart attack.
Other possible CAD symptoms. Some common ones for women are:
Talk to your doctor if you're having symptoms that worry you. If it turns you out that you have CAD, earlier diagnosis and treatment can lower your chances of dangerous complications.
If you're a woman, ask your doctor these questions to help lower the chances of delays in diagnosis or treatment of coronary artery disease:
Should I get tested for CAD? Doctors are less likely to recommend that women get diagnostic tests for coronary artery disease.
When women go to the hospital with heart-related symptoms, doctors tend to look into other causes first and take longer to refer them for an electrocardiogram (EKG) -- the test that checks for CAD. Women are also less likely than men to get care from a heart specialist during their hospital stay or receive certain types of medications and therapy that could help them.
Younger women are more likely than men to get the wrong diagnosis and go home from the emergency room with symptoms of undiagnosed heart disease.
What are my treatment options? If you learn you have CAD, ask your doctor what treatments work well for women and men.
Women may be less likely than men to get:
The American Heart Association says that lifestyle changes can prevent almost 75% of coronary artery disease cases in women. Try these:
Your heart also reaps the benefits when you get enough sleep and take charge of stress.
Cardiac Arrest Vs. Heart Attack: What's The Difference?
Though the terms "cardiac arrest" and "heart attack" are often used interchangeably, they are separate diagnoses and mean different things. But both are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical treatment for the best odds of survival.
While medical jargon can often be confusing, it's important to understand the meaning of these heart events — as well as their warning signs — in case you or a loved one should experience them.
What Is a Heart Attack?A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when there's not enough oxygen-rich blood flowing to the heart muscle. This reduction in oxygen to the heart causes damage to the heart's cells, says Laura Verde, MD, lead cardiovascular specialist at Conviva Care Centers. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, it can lead to permanent damage or death.
A number of factors can cause a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. The most common cause is a blockage in one or more of the heart's arteries. This occurs with coronary artery disease when cholesterol deposits cause inflammation in the arteries.
A heart attack can occur suddenly, but sometimes people can experience symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks before the event.
Each year, more than 800,000 Americans have a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sometimes, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.
What Is Cardiac Arrest?Cardiac arrest is also a life-threatening heart event, but it occurs more abruptly than a heart attack.
"Sudden cardiac arrest results from an electrical malfunction, causing an irregular heartbeat," explains Maria Carolina Delgado-Lelievre, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "The heart abruptly stops pumping blood, leading to a loss of consciousness and no pulse."
Immediate medical intervention is crucial, as death can occur within a few minutes without appropriate treatment.
According to data published by the American Heart Association in 2022 in Circulation, about 90 percent of the 350,000 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year die before they reach the hospital.
Which Is More Serious — a Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest?A heart attack and cardiac arrest are both very serious heart events, says Ratnakar Mukherjee, MD, medical director of interventional cardiology at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
"However, cardiac arrest is more serious, as death can occur within a few minutes if left untreated," he says. Both conditions must be recognized and treated right away.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack or Cardiac ArrestWith both heart conditions, prompt treatment is of the utmost importance, as it can prevent death. To get the appropriate treatment, it's important to know the warning signs.
Warning Signs of a Heart AttackThe signs and symptoms of a heart attack can vary from mild to severe and may look different in different people. Some people might not even have symptoms at all.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs of a heart attack include:
Cardiac arrest comes on suddenly and signs include:
"If a loved one [or someone nearby] is experiencing the symptoms listed above, you should seek immediate help by calling 911," Dr. Mukherjee says. "If possible, begin CPR/chest compressions and call for an AED [automated external defibrillator] while waiting for EMS to arrive."
Treatments for a Heart Attack or Cardiac ArrestSince a heart attack and cardiac arrest have different causes, they are treated differently.
"Cardiac arrest is treated by cardiac resuscitative measures such as chest compressions, defibrillation (shock), and breathing machines or devices," Dr. Verde says.
Since cardiac arrest can turn deadly within minutes, bystanders should begin to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) right away, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
According to a systematic review published in Scientific Reports in 2023, bystander CPR has been shown to improve cardiac arrest survival up to fourfold in some studies.
A heart attack is treated with medications and medical procedures. Treatment may include heart catheterization to open up the blockage to the heart vessel that is causing the reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, Verde explains.
Preventing a Heart Attack or Cardiac ArrestThe most important thing you can do to prevent major heart events like a heart attack or cardiac arrest is to prioritize healthy lifestyle choices.
"Being active, maintaining a nutritious diet, avoiding tobacco, and managing underlying conditions form the foundation for a longer, healthier life," Dr. Delgado-Lelievre says. "Engaging with healthcare professionals and staying informed about individual risk factors is essential for a comprehensive prevention plan. Remember, a proactive approach to heart health today leads to a healthier tomorrow."
What To Know About Diet For Coronary Artery Disease
Foods that are high in soluble fiber and low in saturated and trans fats are excellent choices. Oats, nuts, beans, fatty fish, and olive and canola oils are all foods that are good for your heart.
Here are some heart health tips for achieving the right balance in your diet:
Fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat yogurt are all part of a heart-healthy diet. Monounsaturated fat from nuts, avocados, and olives can also keep your heart in good shape.
How much you eat is just as important as what you're eating. Avoid overloading your plate or continuing to eat after you feel full. Using a small bowl or plate can help you control your portion size. The recommended number of servings you should eat will depend on the food group and specific diet for CAD that you're following.
It can be challenging to get used to healthy eating after years of taking in high amounts of salt, sugar, refined carbs, and saturated fat. If you're concerned about your heart's health, foods to avoid with CAD include:
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