Most fatal heart attacks in Russia affect women. Although myocardial infarction has always been considered a typical disease of men, more than 220,000 women currently suffer annually. Even worse, more than half of them do not survive after the first heart attack. The chances of survival in women are much lower than in men.
Why are women more likely to suffer from myocardial infarction?
The most important cause of a heart attack is women's lack of awareness of risk factors and symptoms. Nevertheless, prevention can save more lives than all cardiovascular drugs combined.
Since 1985, the number of heart attacks among men has decreased by 25%. For women, on the other hand, indicators remained the same. The increase in heart attacks and mortality among women is due not only to lack of information. There are also several risk factors that weigh significantly more in women than in men.
Women who smoke and take birth control pills are 20 times more likely to get a heart attack than non-smokers.
In particular, young women are unlikely to know about serious side effects.
In women, the risk of elevated triglycerides is about 2 times higher than in men. Even low levels of “good HDL cholesterol” have a negative effect on them.
Diabetics are six times more likely than healthy women to be at risk of myocardial infarction - 2 times more than men.
95% of all heart attacks affecting women in Western Europe can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.
A diet with lots of vegetables, salad, fruits and whole grains, regular physical activity, reducing excess weight and parting with cigarette smoking are the main preventive measures.
Women suffer differently
On average, women with heart attacks come to the clinic only after 2 and a half hours. Men arrive 30 minutes earlier than women. Almost every second woman has classic symptoms of a heart attack such as chest tightness and pain in her left arm.
In addition to the general symptoms - anxiety or pain radiating to the teeth or jaw - there are signs that are predominantly found in women.
The most typical female symptoms:
dyspnea;
unusual tiredness;
sleep disturbances;
gagging;
pain in the neck.
If women knew better about these symptoms, they would most likely have thought of a heart attack and called an ambulance. Because the forecast of myocardial infarction depends on every minute.
Doctors do not recognize the warning signs of a heart attack early enough, so complications often arise.
It has been proven that 30% of all heart attack patients respond too late and go to the doctor. Many women do not recognize the symptoms at all or do not want to call an ambulance for any chest pain.
Most often, they experience severe chest pain that can spread to the arms, shoulders and neck. But they rather associate symptoms with their breasts or menopause than they think about the heart.
How to avoid a heart attack?
According to Professor Sellmeier, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction by 50%. By 36%, the risk is reduced if you change the diet.
Approximate healthy menu for the week:
- more than 400 g of fruits and vegetables per day;
- whole grains, nuts;
- lean meat 2 times a week;
- oily fish;
- moderate alcohol consumption and a minimum of salt.
Regularly need to perform exercises: from 3 to 4 times a week, from 20 to 40 minutes. Also, daily 30-minute brisk walking has a preventive effect. The waist circumference should be below 88 - best of all 80.
Blood pressure should be significantly lower than 135/90 mm Hg. Blood lipids should be normalized: LDL cholesterol below 130, HDL above 45, triglycerides below 200 mg / dl.
However, constant high loads are also unhealthy, as numerous studies confirm. Women in the family often take on the entire organization, do housework and work. In an increasing number of cases, they also help relatives in need of care. If a woman does not have time for herself, she can “burn out” and increase the risk of a heart attack.
