Long considered primarily a male problem, cardiovascular diseases are nevertheless a major cause of mortality among women. This prejudice has consequences: symptoms less well recognized, treatment sometimes later. Reestablishing the reality of this risk is essential to better prevent it.
1. A very real risk
Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death among women. The risk increases in particular after menopause, with the drop in estrogens which had a protective effect. We must therefore not believe that women are spared.
2. Sometimes different signs
A heart attack can manifest itself in women with less typical symptoms than the classic chest pain: intense fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, back or jaw pain. These atypical signs can delay recognition of the emergency.
| Classic signs | Signs sometimes seen in women |
|---|---|
| Chest pain | Severe fatigue unusual |
| Pain in left arm | Shortness of breath, nausea |
| Oppression | Back/jaw pain |
3. Risk factors to know
The classic factors (tobacco, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle) apply to everyone. Some have a particular impact on women, and specific factors exist (certain pregnancy complications, contraception associated with tobacco). Tobacco is particularly harmful.
4. Prevent and react
Prevention is based on known levers: not smoking, moving, eating well, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. When faced with warning signs, even atypical ones, you should not hesitate to call for help: in a cardiac emergency, every minute counts.
- Do not smoke, especially if using hormonal contraception
- Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Do not ignore unusual signs and call for help if necessary
Recognizing that women are affected already means better protecting them.
💡 tips to remember
- Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death in women: they are not just a male problem.
- The risk increases after menopause, with the decline in the protective effect of estrogens.
- In women, heart attacks can manifest themselves with atypical signs: intense fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, pain back/jaw.
- Tobacco is particularly harmful, especially associated with hormonal contraception.
- Facing with signs evocative, even atypical, I do not hesitate to call for help: in a cardiac emergency, every minute counts.
