While men and women have a lot of similarities, they also have some important differences. One of those involves their heart health and the ways they present with heart health issues. That’s why heart problems in women can sometimes be overlooked, because they don’t have the same kinds of symptoms that men do. Understanding the main differences between men’s and women’s heart health can mean extra protection and support for you and your loved ones.
Heart Attack Symptoms Look Different
In men, most heart attacks have the classic symptoms of significant chest pain. It often radiates down into the left arm and up into the jaw, or it may stay confined to the chest. That’s why heart attacks in women are often missed, because they don’t always present that way. A woman having a heart attack may be nauseated, for example, or have back pain. It’s very important for both men and women to keep up with their heart health, to reduce the risk of an heart attack or other problem.
Hormones Can Play a Role
According to Ian Weisberg and others in the medical field, hormones can play a role in heart health. This is especially true for women, as they lose some of their heart disease protection when they go through menopause. For some women, this risk is negligible, and that’s often based on things like their genetics and whether there’s a history of heart disease in their family. Other women have a more increased risk and could benefit from HRT. However, it comes with its own set of risks.
Age and Severity Are Not the Same
The age at which men and women more commonly experience heart attacks and the severity of those incidents are also different, says Dr. Ian Weisberg. Men may have heart attacks in their 40s or 50s, while women typically don’t experience them until later in life. However, women are more likely to die from them than men, potentially due to their advanced age or a lack of understanding about women’s heart attack symptoms.
Exercise and Diet Are Good Choices
No matter what age or gender you are, though, exercise and a healthy diet are good choices to improve your heart health and reduce the chances of a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems. Getting regular checkups, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can keep you feeling confident in the overall health of your heart.