While it is commonly known that prior to menopause, women have a lower risk of heart disease, this changes post menopause, when women have the same level of risk of heart disease as men. Experts give us heart care tips for the postmenstrual women.
Women and heart problems
In India, the most common heart problems seen in women are coronary artery disease, which causes blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, which can lead to heart attacks. Other problems noticed include electrical disturbances in heart signaling, which is also known as arrhythmias.
Get yourself tested
Heart attacks are best prevented by reducing risk factors that are known to cause heart attacks and strokes. Common ones are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and thyroid problems. “Tests that should be done regularly include a blood pressure (BP) test, lipid profile, blood sugar, and weight. Some might need a 2-D echo and a stress test as advised by your doctor,” explains Dr Aashish Contractor. Dr Rajkumar Mantravadi continues, “Checkups at clinics and hospitals are useful in keeping a tab on risk factors and treating them early. If the tests are normal on the first checkup, an annual check is adequate.”
Prevention is better
When it comes to prevention, managing your stress levels is extremely important. Dr Mantravadi elaborates, “Life is stressful and many people start using secondary coping tools to bear with the burdens, like smoking, excessive caffeine, and alcohol. These suppress the stress symptoms but not the stress itself. The underlying stress continues to affect your heart until it finally manifests as heart disease. Also, overdependence on the ‘tools’ will lead to their own set of problems.” Besides managing stress, it is important to address the health issues that your health checkup has shown. Correspondingly, if there are health problems, Dr Contractor advises, “Keeping risk factors under aggressive control, that is, BP, cholesterol, sugar, weight control, not consuming tobacco, and regular exercise go a long way in keeping your heart healthy.”
Being physically active is important
Being physically active is important for your heart health. A sedentary lifestyle, whether at your desk at the workplace or at home in front of your television is a surefire way of developing heart problems. Dr Mantravadi explains, “There is research-based evidence which shows that among employees of the same organisation, the people who did the most manual work lived longer than their bosses. If there is one thing, which is likely to improve one’s physical longevity, it is being physically active.”
Source: Idiva
