Know your symptoms for a healthy heart

Know Your Symptoms

Women’s symptoms of heart disease differ dramatically from men. Half of all women do not get chest pain. Here are the most common symptoms women report:

  • FATIGUE (the most common symptom of heart disease in women)
  • LEFT ARM PAIN
  • JAW PAIN
  • NECK/THROAT PAIN
  • INDIGESTION
  • NAUSEA
  • SHORTNESS OF BREATH
  • LIGHT HEADEDNESS

 

What to Do if You Develop These Symptoms 

  • STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING
  • CALL 911 …..DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL
  • TAKE YOUR PRESCRIBED MEDICATION – BABY ASPIRIN (81 mg) – NITROGLYCERIN TABLETS
  • DO NOT IGNORE IT!!!!!!

 

For Diabetics: 

  • I want you to check your blood sugar (glucose) 4 times daily: before each meal and at bedtime. Keep a log of these numbers to show your doctor
  • your fasting blood sugar level should be < 100 mg/dl
  • have your HEMOGLOBIN A 1 C, a measure of how well your blood sugar has been controlled, checked every 3-4 months. Normal is < 7.0

*  NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program) guidelines

**high risk women are women who already have coronary artery disease, diabetes, abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease or 2 or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
**low risk women are women with 0-1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease.***

 

The Risk Factors You CAN Modify:

  • STRESS
  • HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
  • ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL
  • DIABETES MELLITUS
  • SMOKING
  • ILLICIT DRUG USE
  • OBESITY
  • PHYSICAL INACTIVITY

 

The Risk Factors You CAN’T Modify:

  • AGE > 55
  • ETHNICITY: African American, Hispanic, Native American
  • FAMILY HISTORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
  • Father or brother with cardiovascular disease before the age of 55
  • Mother or sister with cardiovascular disease before the age of 65