News Section

While heart health is often talked about as a problem men face, women are also at risk. And when it comes to heart attacks, the symptom of sudden chest pain is more widely known than any others. Though this can definitely signify a heart attack, women do not experience it the way men do. Signs of heart health issues in women may include neck, jaw, shoulder or abdominal discomfort, pain on the arms, shortness of breath and nausea, sweating, indigestion and unusual fatigue.

Because these symptoms are not directly associated with the chest area, lots of women do not draw connections between the aforementioned discomforts and their heart health. Additionally, women are misdiagnosed when they are suffering from a heart condition at a much higher rate than men.

Whereas we vaguely know that older men are in danger of a heart attack, women of all ages should be more aware of the condition of their heart, especially women who experience high stress levels in their everyday lives and those who have a family history of health disease—even if they are younger than 65.

As is the case with most conditions that build up over time, heart health is made worse when experiencing high levels of stress. More specifically, it has been found that women whose work environment is especially pressuring, women in professional settings that demand rapid decisions, have high standards of performance, or are generally worried about being fired, are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (even under the age of 51).  Early warnings signs include thickness of the carotid artery wall.

Though it is challenging to avoid a stressful work environment, there are ways in which the stress can be alleviated:

• You can make sure that you are eating as healthy as possible, following a diet that is appropriate for your body and steers you clear of obesity—a factor which can definitely worsen heart conditions.
• It is also suggested that you exercise regularly, another way in which you can ensure a healthy weight.
• Limited alcohol consumption, as well as quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke are important in lessening the risk of a heart condition.
• As much as you can, limit intrusions into your life that add stress, especially as those pertain to professional intrusions outside of work hours.
• You can also experiment with practicing different relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and progressive relaxation.

Remember that sometimes what we do on our own may not be enough, or we might be needing an extra support system. In those cases, it is never a bad idea to foster mutually supportive relationships with those around us, and/or to seek help from a mental health professional.