5
A message from your heart
Turn your fridge into a
lifesaving appliance by
requesting our magnet listing the
signs and symptoms of a heart
attack. Email your request to
webmaster@samc.com
.
Continued from front page
slowing or blocking the flow of blood
to the heart.
“One of the primary causes of
coronary vasospasm in women is
mental stress,” Dr. Sandhu explains.
While not as common a cause of
heart attack as coronary heart dis-
ease (CHD), or as Dr. Sandhu calls it,
“bread and butter disease,” coronary
vasospasm definitely deserves to be
included in education about heart
attacks in women.
And thanks to the efforts of many
health organizations and advocacy
groups on a local, state and national
level, heart education among women
is at an all-time high.
LISTEN UP, LADIES
Once considered a man’s disease,
heart disease is finally recognized as
the No. 1 killer of American women.
In fact, women are twice as likely as
men to die from heart attack, due in
part to the fact that they generally
delay treatment. Women also have
smaller coronary arteries, which can
prevent the use of stents or bypass
surgery.
And as women age, their risk of
heart disease increases.
“Between ages 45 and 50, women
are in what is sometimes called a
‘honeymoon,’” Dr. Sandhu says.
That’s partly because estrogen
gives premenopausal women some
heart disease protection.
“At age 55, women begin
catching up to their male counter-
parts, and by 65 they actually surpass
them,” he says.
Though aging is inevitable,
Dr. Sandhu offers some preventive
measures that women – and men –
can take to reduce their risk for heart
disease:
•
Reduce sugar intake, especially
refined. “Sugar (including simple
carbs like white flour, white rice
and potatoes) puts your body in
hibernation mode,” explains Dr.
Sandhu. “Instead of burning it for
energy, the body wants to keep it
for difficult times.”
•
Eat more fiber, whole grains and
nuts.
•
Exercise regularly. Studies show
that people who exercise burn
more calories throughout the day
compared to those who don’t.
•
Get periodic blood pressure and
cholesterol checks (every one to
two years). If you don’t already
know your numbers, ask your
doctor to order a lipid panel at
Saint Agnes Outpatient Labora-
tory, or see “Know Your Numbers”
at www.samc.com/prevention-
and-wellness to learn what levels
promote a healthy heart.
•
Maintain a healthy weight. As
you age, your metabolism slows
down. So to avoid weight gain –
especially after menopause for
women – you must take in fewer
calories or increase the number of
calories you burn.
•
Stop smoking. (Saint Agnes can
help you quit for good with our
Freedom from Smoking Program.
See page 3 for details.)
STAY ALERT
Also keep in mind that indications of
heart disease and heart attacks can
be different for men and women. A
common symptom of heart attack in
everyone is chest discomfort (an-
gina). In women, however, symptoms
may be pressure, indigestion, or
gaslike discomfort.
“Shoulder pain, nausea, shortness
of breath or sweating spells could
also be signs of heart attack in wom-
en, and they tend to ignore them
more than men do,” Dr. Sandhu says.
If you are having any of these symp-
toms, call 9-1-1 within five minutes.
Even if symptoms disappear after a
few minutes, get medical help.
Winter 2012