According to the NHS, heart and circulatory disease (CVD) is responsible for one in four premature deaths in the UK.
Meanwhile, the heart health experts at the British Heart Foundation predict that there could be as many as one million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK by 2030, and two million more than today by 2040.
This means that now more than ever, it’s essential that we understand the signs of CVD and how to reduce our risk of developing it.
However, according to the National Institutes of Health: “Women are more likely to have heart disease in the smaller arteries of the heart, called coronary microvascular disease. This can make the disease harder to identify and causes delays in treatment.”
Knowing what to look for, and when to speak to a GP, is essential.
So, what are the signs of heart disease in women?
Heart attack pain can be different in women – and when it comes to heart disease, it’s a similar story.
According to the National Library of Medicine, women are more likely than men to have “silent” heart disease, meaning that they don’t have symptoms.
However, when symptoms do occur, they include:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest that may be dull and heavy or sharp
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unusual fatigue
- Shortness of breath (feeling like you can’t get enough air) during physical activity
How to reduce your risk of heart disease
The NHS recommends taking the following steps to reduce your risk of developing heart disease:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Be more physically active
- Keep to a healthy weight
- Give up smoking
- Reduce your alcohol consumption
- Keep your blood pressure under control
- Keep your diabetes under control
- Take any prescribed medicine