Facts about women and Heart disease:
- Women’s arteries are smaller than men’s. Because they are smaller they need less plaque to form a blockage
- Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of heart attack in women. However in women they may experience different signs, severe fatigue, back pain, nausea, left arm or jaw pain.
- Low levels of oestrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing heart disease in the smaller vessels.
- Women are less active than men. The target activity level is 150 minutes per week.
New Guidelines
The new guidelines in the prevention of cardiac disease have isolated women as a subgroup for the first time. Here are some additional facts:
- Pre- eclampsia (pregnancy related high blood pressure accompanied by protein in the urine) predisposes you to one and half to two and a half times risk of cardiovascular disease. You are also three times more likely to develop high blood pressure and twice as likely to develop diabetes in life.
- Gestational diabetes has a significant risk of future diabetes with 50% of developing diabetes within five years after pregnancy.
- Polycystic ovary disease is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure.
What can we do as women to prevent heart attacks?
It is important that we have regular checks with your doctor if you fall into any of the above categories.
We can manage our risk factors
- Stop smoking
- Exercise more – aim for the recommended 150 minutes per day
- Know your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Reduce fatty foods
- Take your medication
Heart 2 Heart Cardiac Physiotherapy offers cardiac classes on
- Mondays at 2.30pm, 4pm and 5.30pm in Mount Merrion Community Centre
- Tuesdays at 10.30am and Thursdays at 2pm in UCD Sport, Belfield
- Wednesdays at 2pm in Killashee in Naas and
- Wednesdays at 7pm in Kilcullen Business Campus
Karen Cradock, Specialist Cardiac Physiotherapist, B.Physio, MSc, Heart 2 Heart Cardiac Physiotherapy, Unit 5, Kilcullen Business Campus, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. www.h2hcardiacphysio.com, info@h2hcardiacphysio.com, Tel : 045484000, Tel :0877667465
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