What every woman needs to know about heart disease

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When we think about heart disease sufferers, most of us think of an overweight man with a beer belly and a pack-a-day habit. For a long time, the medical industry has focused on males as being the most at risk. But heart disease does not discriminate: it affects everyone, and the scary truth is that women are starting to take center stage.

Last time, we focused on men and heart disease. (Did you remember to forward the last  post to your dad?!)

This week, it’s the ladies’ turn. And not a moment too soon!

The number one killer of women is not cancer, as many may think, but heart disease. More women than men are now succumbing to this terrible fate. Why? For starters, not enough is known about how women are affected by heart disease. The medical industry still has a lot to learn in this respect. Secondly, women are not always educated on the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. This means that they do not know the life-saving actions that need to be taken to give themselves the best chance at survival.

Let’s change that right now!

 

Heart attack signs in women

The best known symptom people think of as a sign of an impending heart attacks is numbness in the arm. What people don’t know is that this well-publicized symptom is frequently seen in men, but may not be present at all in women. Women with risk factors for heart disease may show signs that are very different to the symptoms that men present with. The most common ones are:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach pain, jaw, back or neck pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness or light-headedness

Remember, the signs of a heart attack don’t develop overnight, and the risk factors have likely been present for a long time before the heart attack happened.

This is excellent news for anyone reading this article and recognizing any of the above symptoms in themselves. Why? Because it means the power is squarely in your hands to take control of your health before it reaches crisis point.

In the next few weeks, we’re going to be taking a better look at the things you can do to improve your heart health. So stay tuned!

Did you know that heart attack symptoms were different for women than men? And – more importantly – do the women you love know? Head down to the comments and let me know about your experience!

Rosemarie Beltz is the creator and director of the Heart Health Concierge, a prestige health coaching service offering heart-smart health advice to clients all around the world. As a cardiac perfusionist for more than 18 years (currently practicing in a hospital in Los Angeles, California) and certified health coach (graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City), she is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the world of western medicine and holistic health. You can connect with Rosemarie at the Heart Health Concierge [www.rosemariebeltz.com], on facebook at [https://www.facebook.com/hearthealthconcierge] follow her on Twitter [https://twitter.com/marprana] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-X8APOL12PU1SI0-A3ICJG].

Rosemarie Beltz
Rosemarie Beltz is a Certified Cardiac Perfusionist , Health Consultant and the creator & director of the Heart Health Concierge, a prestige health coaching service offering heart-smart health advice to clients all around the world. As a practicing cardiac perfusionist and certified health coach, she is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the world of western medicine and holistic health. You can connect with Rosemarie at the Heart Health Concierge [www.rosemariebeltz.com] and on facebook at [https://www.facebook.com/hearthealthconcierge?ref=hl].