Heart Disease In Women Essay

Heart disease is something that can affect anyone. It really isn't restricted by age, race or gender. However, the signs of heart disease in women can be different from those in men. This leads to many women overlooking early signs of heart disease and not getting the medical care that they need in a timely manner to prevent serious issues, like a heart damage.

Heart Attack Symptoms

It is commonly thought that the signs of a heart are pain in the chest and down the left arm. While these are common symptoms for men, in women, the signs are often different. Women may feel pain or discomfort more in the upper areas of their body, like the jaw, upper back or shoulder. In addition, some women feel signs in their stomach as opposed to the chest.

Because the symptoms are usually so subtle and not easily recognizable, many women don't get care until major damage has already occurred. That is why it is much better for women to look for early signs of heart disease.

Usually, early signs of heart disease in women can be caught by assessing their overall health. Women who have diabetes, for example, should have their hearts checked often to watch for signs of the disease affecting their hearts. Cholesterol and blood pressure should also be checked often to catch and treat any issues.

Women who smoke or are overweight should consider lifestyle changes to eliminate these risks. Both smoking and being overweight can contribute to heart disease. In addition, a stressful lifestyle also is bad on the heart and should be managed better to reduce or eliminate stress.

Getting more active and eating better can often help with any risk factors a woman may have. Exercising at least three times a week for thirty minutes is a great starting point for anyone who is inactive. Ideally, a little exercise every day will do great things for the heart. In addition, a diet high in fiber, low in fat and full of nutrients is what everyone should aim