When women reach menopause, the risk for heart disease increases. This is partially due to a drop in the female hormone estrogen which is thought to help keep blood vessels healthy and cholesterol levels in check.
Other factors increase the risk for heart attacks and stroke in women such as:
smoking
diabetes
obesity
diets high in saturated fats
According to the womenshealth.gov web site, heart disease is the number one cause of death in women over 65 years of age and stroke is number 3.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque forms along the walls of blood vessels which over time causes narrowing of the blood vessels and restricts blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain.
Symptoms of heart attacks in women:
feeling short of breath
pain along the neck, jaw and upper back
nausea, vomiting, indigestion
unexplained sweating
sudden severe fatigue
dizziness
Women are less likely to survive a heart attack than men according to statistics. The reason for this is not fully understood. Women often overlook symptoms and don't seek medical attention until it's too late. With this information in mind, it's best to try to prevent heart disease.
What Can You Do?
Stop smoking - use a nicotine replacement initially to help with cravings.
Lower blood pressure and cholesterol - exercising and a diet high in phytonutrients and antioxidants can often bring elevatedblood pressure and cholesterol back to normal levels.
Avoid saturated fats - stay away from processed foods. Drink low fat milk and eat lean cuts of meat.
Lose weight - if your waistline is greater than 30 inches you have a much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Start a weight management program that will help you lose weight in a healthy manner.
Contact your doctor immediately if you feel pain in your neck, jaw, chest and upper back.
Women can live very fulfilling lives after menopause with many new doors of opportunity. Taking a proactive approach to your health will help you live the last third of your life to the fullest.