Doctors called signs of a near heart attack in women
'02.09.2022'
Source: RBC
The British Heart Health Foundation (BHF) has published a study on the causes and symptoms of heart attack in women. According to the foundation, contrary to the stereotype that this is a “male disease”, heart attacks remain the main cause of deaths of women around the world.
The most common symptom of an approaching heart attack in women and men is the same - chest pain or discomfort that suddenly occurs and does not go away. Pain can spread to one of the hands, neck, jaw, back, or stomach. A person may feel nauseous, sweating, begin to suffocate. Less common symptoms are a sensation similar to a panic attack, a strong cough or wheezing, writes RBC.
According to BHF, hormonal levels in women can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease until menopause occurs. However, after menopause, the risk begins to increase. The main risk factors are high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, overweight and lack of physical activity. BHF experts recommend that women over the age of 40 years visit a doctor regularly to check their heart condition.
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The chief cardiologist of Moscow, Elena Vasilieva, when asked by RBC about whether there is any difference in the symptoms of a heart attack in men and women, said that there was no such difference. At the same time, in a conversation with RBC, Yaroslav Ashikhmin, cardiologist, candidate of medical sciences, adviser to the director general of the International Medical Cluster Foundation, noted that women generally have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
“Before menopause, women are much better protected from vascular damage by female sex hormones, so in general, their risk of developing heart attacks and strokes is significantly lower than that of men,” Ashikhmin explained.
“Also, a woman’s heart attack may not be so severe [as in men]. Women's self-care plays a very important role. Women tend to take the medications that are prescribed to them, they are more sensitive to this than men. ” - emphasized the cardiologist.
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Ashikhmin noted that sometimes a special, so-called female type of infarction is distinguished.
“A heart attack can be smaller and less important vessels can be damaged. This is the difference. Rupture in men and erosion - superficial damage to the [atherosclerotic] plaque - in women, ”explained Ashikhmin.
