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“According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills more American women each year than all forms of cancer – so you’re right to be concerned. Coronary heart disease can lead to heart attacks,” says Rupa Puttappa, M.D., a board-certified Cardiology specialist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.
She says reducing your risk of heart disease begins with understanding the factors that may lead to a heart attack. These include age, heredity, history of a previous heart attack, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stress, high triglyceride levels and excessive alcohol consumption.
Many women don’t recognize these warning signs of heart attack:
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Unusual fatigue
Cold sweats
Dizziness
Pain or pressure in the back, high chest or one or both arms
Discomfort in the chest that may be described as pressure, ache, or tightness that may come and go
A burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen
Irregular heartbeat
Nausea
Dr. Puttappa, who cares for patients at Kelsey-Seybold’s Humble Clinic, Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center and St. Luke’s Medical Tower, says there are several lifestyle changes women can make to reduce their risk of heart disease.
“Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, maintain a healthy weight, quit or don’t start smoking and eat a diet that’s low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt,” she suggests. “Also, be sure you take prescribed medications such as blood thinners like aspirin and cholesterol- lowering medication appropriately.”