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This is an archive article published on September 25, 2013
Heart to heart
Stress may amplify heart disease risk factors in women,suggest experts
Written by EXPRESS FEATURES SERVICE
September 25, 2013 03:10 AM IST
4 min read
4 min read
As lifes pace continues to grow faster,and women begin to take on increasingly complex roles in their careers and personal lives,stress comes as an inevitable baggage. Experts now suggest,however,that rising stress levels may be responsible for an increase in heart disease amongst women.
The World Health Organisation reports indicate that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) will be the largest cause of death and disability in India by 2020. Many of these cases comprise women who have become more prone to heart disease owing to their high stress levels and a tendency to forgo basic health requirements in the hustle bustle of daily life,says Dr Sunil Sathe,cardiologist at Sahyadri Hospital. Considering that working women juggle home and work responsibilities,they are more likely to get exposed to stress and an unhealthy lifestyle and,therefore,by default become more prone to cardiovascular diseases. Heart attack symptoms amongst women can be subtle
and complex at times. And because of late diagnosis,the risk increases leading to serious results, he says.
The increasing prevalence of diseases like hypertension,dyslipidemia,diabetes and obesity has led to an increase in the burden of cardiovascular diseases in India. Stress may amplify these factors,suggest experts. Stress can influence the activity of
the heart when it activates the
automatic part of the nervous system that affects many organs,including the heart, says Amol Naikawadi,preventive
healthcare expert.
Women often overlook symptoms and discomfort pertaining to heart diseases,and rarely consult an expert. Even if they opt for consultation,more often than not,they discontinue the treatment as soon as they get symptomatic relief. The compliance rate is comparatively poor among women, says Sathe.
How to identify a heart attack<\b>
The most common symptom of heart attack is chest pain, says Dr Manoj Durairaj,director of cardiac surgery at Ruby Hall Clinic. The chest pain usually starts over the breast bone and can radiate to the jaw (mimicking tooth ache),to both the arms usually the left or the upper abdomen (mimicking indigestion). The patient typically describes the experience as a compressing sort of pain,as if someone is sitting on his/her chest.
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Sometimes patients do not have chest pain. These are usually diabetic patients,and they might suffer from a silent heart attack. Diabetic patients usually present with shortness of breath or easy fatigability and not the typical chest pain. The other signs and symptoms are palpitations (abnormal feeling of the heart beating fast),sweating,dizziness and sometimes falling unconscious. The earlier the patient reaches the hospital the less chance is there of major injury or death of the heart muscle. This is called the Golden Hour in medical parlance.
Doctors suggest a few simple steps that can help prevent heart-related ailments
Heart healthy diet Fruits,vegetables,whole grains and fibers are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease
Being Physically Active Physical activity helps you control your weight,reduces stress and chances of other lifestyle diseases
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Timely and Regular Preventive Check-ups Make sure you get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly
Diabetes screening should be done,especially if you have a family history of the disease.
Drink More Water It is vital to our survival and also to a good heart,skin and hair
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