Why are women more prone to heart disease?

Did you know, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women? Here are some reasons that increase heart disease risk in women

It's true that more number of women die due to heart disease than breast cancer or cervical cancer. Earlier, cases of heart attacks were exclusive to post-menopausal women but now even younger women seem to suffer from them. Women, in general, have higher death rate than men due to heart attacks because of the fact that the symptoms of heart disease in men and women are different. Women usually don't suffer from chest pain associated with heart attack. Unlike men, who develop blockage in the major arteries, women usually have block in smaller arteries which does not get detected in heart function tests like angiography.

Apart from these, the following reasons have made women more prone to heart disease:

• Increased stress: Majority of women in urban cities have to handle their work life and responsibilities at home. Hectic schedules make their life more stressful, increasing their risk of heart disease.
• Smoking and drinking: It's surprising to see the rise in the number of women smokers these days. According to recent estimates, of the more than 5 million people who die every year from tobacco use, approximately 1.5 million are women.
• Use of oral contraceptives and hormone therapy: Earlier when the risk of heart disease was found to be greater in post menopausal women, it was clear that reproductive cycle has some role to play in preventing heart disease in women. Researchers believe that oral contraceptive pills used for birth control increases the risk of blood clots (thrombosis). According to the Women's Health Initiative there is clearly an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women taking menopausal hormone therapy.
• Lack of physical activity: Owing to their busy schedules, women do not find time for exercise, which is taking a toll on women's health. This is also partly due to lack of awareness about risk of heart disease and benefits of exercising.
• Ignoring health: Indian women, particularly, have the tendency to take care of everyone else in the family except themselves. But you should be aware that as you grow older, your risk of suffering from health problems increase. If you suffer from symptoms like shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea or light-headedness, immediately visit a cardiologist and get your heart function tested.

Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Read: Why more and more women are suffering from heart disease

You may also like to read:

• 10 health tests every woman should take
• 8 tests that can tell if you have heart disease
• Natural remedies for heart disease (Gallery)
• Gallery: Ten tips for a healthier heart
• 10 things that happen during a heart attack

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