Heart disease kills women, too

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. If you didn’t know, don’t feel bad – only about half of women realize this, according to the American Heart Association.  

The American Heart Association and TidalHealth are hoping to change this and ensure women know the risks of heart disease, which leads to heart attacks and strokes.   

The American Heart Association started its Go Red for Women campaign in 2004 and offers plenty of resources at www.goredforwomen.org. Anyone can participate in National Wear Red Day, which is the first Friday in February – Friday, Feb. 7. Wear red to support the cause and raise awareness.  

Heart disease 

Heart disease – which encompasses multiple heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, caused by plaque buildup that limits blood flow to the heart muscle, is also the number one killer for men. But women may be less aware they’re also at risk – part of the reason the Go Red for Women campaign was created was because many women thought it was “an older man’s disease,” according to the initiative’s website.  

When TidalHealth first offered its free Heart Smart screenings more than 20 years ago, the screenings were originally just offered to women. The Heart Smart screenings include a heart disease risk assessment, blood work, resting 12-lead EKG, body fat/body mass index, blood pressure testing, pulse oximetry testing and education. Because of the blood test associated with the risk assessment, a 12-hour fast is required. 

Now, the screenings are offered to both men and women and can be scheduled by calling 410-543-7026. TidalHealth’s HeartSmart Screenings are made possible through generous donations to the TidalHealth Foundation. 

Keep your heart healthy 

Women often prioritize taking care of others, but we need to take care of ourselves, too.  

It’s important to know your family history. If you have a blood relative who died of a heart attack while under the age of 50, that increases your risk for having one.  

Women may also have different symptoms when suffering a heart attack or stroke. For both heart attack and stroke, women could experience fatigue or nausea or vomiting, according to the American Heart Association. The chest pain experienced during a heart attack could be different than what men experience, and for a stroke, a woman could also suffer from disorientation, confusion or memory problems.