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Dr. Pamela Gardner |
Heart disease doesn’t discriminate, yet a misconception persists that it’s really more prevalent in men than women. In truth, the American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women over age 25. That’s why it is so important to recognize the early warning signs and take action quickly in the event of the unexpected.
Unlike men who generally experience commonly known heart attack signs like tightness in the chest, arm pain and shortness of breath, women’s symptoms, such as nausea, overwhelming fatigue and dizziness, can be more subdued and are often attributed to stress or other causes.
“Research has found that women can have undiagnosed warning signs weeks, months, and even years prior to having a heart attack or stroke,” said Pamela Gardner, D.O., F.A.C.C., a cardiologist with the Heart Institute of Northwest Ohio, “If you or a loved one complains of chest, neck, arm, jaw or back discomfort, especially with shortness of breath, nausea or sweating, and is not relieved by rest, call 911. Doing so dramatically improves the odds of survival.”
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| Dr. Paul Anike |
Of course, the best defense against heart attack for women is a good offense in the form of prevention. Simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, eating a heart-healthy diet and getting treatment for depression can make all the difference. Dr. Gardner also strongly suggests having your blood pressure checked.
“The ideal blood pressure should be at 120/80 mm Hg or below,” Paul Anike, D.O., F.A.C.C., a cardiologist with the Heart Institute of Northwest Ohio said. “If its above 140/90 mm Hg., medication is required. Furthermore, aspirin can be very beneficial for women over age 65. As always, a physician should be consulted before beginning any therapy.”
Cardiovascular disease kills about one woman a minute. Don’t add to the statistics. Speak to the professionals at The Heart & Vascular Institute at Lima Memorial for heart attack prevention and treatment information.
