FDA: What are the signs of heart disease in women, and how can they reduce their risk of getting it?
Many people believe that women do not have heart disease, but heart disease is the most significant cause of death in women among all causes of death in women. Any woman can get heart disease, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement is intended to raise awareness and dispel the myth that women do not suffer from heart attacks and heart problems like men.
Later on, the FDA published new information regarding the typical signs of heart disease, heart problems, and heart attacks in women. Among the symptoms published by the FDA to look out for:
1. Breathing problems
2. Chest pain with a burning sensation, or heaviness or tightness in the chest area. Sometimes this pain will be accompanied by pain in the neck, shoulders, ears, or jaw
3. Burning pain in the back between the shoulders
4. Difficulty falling asleep
5. A general feeling of fear or irritability
6. Feeling unwell in the abdominal area
7. Having a worsening of existing headaches or noticing the appearance of new ones
In these cases, medical diagnosis and immediate treatment should be obtained.
The FDA also published measures for women to take to reduce their risk of heart disease, including the following:
1. Exercise regularly
2. Avoid active smoking or passive smoking. It is recommended to avoid smoking altogether, especially for those who are taking birth control pills.
3. Maintain a healthy diet. Avoid salt or use it sparingly.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight.
4. Check your family history for heart disease and consult your doctor about an action plan if relevant.
5. Avoid stressful situations, tension, irritability, or being in a depressed state, if possible. These situations greatly contribute to the risk of a heart attack.
6. Periodic blood pressure checks and periodic blood tests to check cholesterol levels should also be performed.
