"Heart disease is a man's problem. I don't have to worry."
"Cancer is more of a threat to women than heart disease."
It's misconceptions like these that cause many women to believe that heart disease isn't anything to worry about. But the fact is, heart disease is the leading killer of women in America and it will take the lives of 250,000 American women this year alone - more than the number killed by all forms of cancer combined.
Closer to home, Uniontown Cardiologist Dr. Veerunna Yadagani notes that, "Fayette County has the unfortunate distinction of having one of the highest rates for heart disease in the state of Pennsylvania - and nationally, as well." And believe it or not, he adds, "women make up the majority of these admissions."
And as for those misconceptions, women are beginning to get a lot smarter about their susceptibility to heart disease and so are doctors. "The more women understand that heart disease is something they need to take seriously, the more likely they are to get the kind of treatment they need," explains Dr. Yadagani.
How Did These Misconceptions Get Started?
In the past, most major heart disease studies were conducted on male patients and doctors assumed that if a particular treatment worked well for a man, it would work just as well for a woman.
New research has shown that this is definitely not the case. Men's and women's bodies are more different than doctors used to think. And the way they respond to certain treatments can vary drastically.
For instance, the presence of LDL cholesterol in the blood, which is the strongest predictor of coronary artery disease in men, is less important in assessing a woman's risk, especially before the age of 65. But high levels of another type of blood fat - triglycerides - is more dangerous to women, especially after menopause when their bodies stop producing estrogen, which decreases the level of these substances in the blood.
How Are Men and Women Different When it Comes to Treatment?
Compared to men, women are more likely to have a heart attack when they are over 65, are more likely to die soon after an attack, and if they survive, they are more likely to have a second attack and more apt to become disabled.
As for early signs of heart disease, they are more difficult to detect in women than in men. Or, heart disease in women often goes undiagnosed because many doctors want to attribute their chest pains or other symptoms to emotional problems, menopause or anxiety. But a man with the same symptoms would probably be tested for heart problems immediately. And because a woman's heart problems may go undiagnosed, she may take longer to receive the diagnostic testing and treatment she needs.
Is There Any Good News?
These facts may seem frightening to you, but take heart: The medical community has recognized the fact that, beyond the age of 65, women are just as likely as men to suffer from heart disease. And new tests and new medications, combined with new guidelines for healthier living, are proving that a woman's chance of survival is just as high as a man's if she pays attention to her risk factors and gets regular screenings.
"It's important that women take control of their health. If you're not satisfied with a diagnosis, get a second opinion. Read up on how to minimize your risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor for brochures," urges Dr. Yadagani.
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