FAMILY HEALTH Q & A

QI’m a healthy, active 45-year-

old mom, but there’s a history of heart disease on both sides of my family—and as I get older, this worries me. Recently a friend told me that heart attacks in women can sometimes go undetected.

What symptoms should I pay attention to? A

Symptoms of heart unexplained fatigue that can drag on for check your blood pressure and cholesterol disease can vary from days. and take your medications as prescribed person to person. Stable And yes, some studies have found that by your primary care provider. Exercise, heart disease can present women are at higher risk for what we call a good sleep routine and a healthy diet with chest pain or pressure, shortness “silent” heart attacks, with symptoms so (incorporating lean protein, vegetables of breath or simply fatigue. I often have mild they go unnoticed or are dismissed and healthy fats while avoiding processed patients who say,” I feel like I just got older as anxiety. Silent heart attacks can be as foods) also go a long way in keeping your this summer.” Most often, these symptoms dangerous as more obvious ones—left heart healthy. occur with activity and get better with rest. untreated, they can cause scarring and

Heart attacks often don’t look the same permanent damage, raising the risk of in men and women. The signs can be more other heart problems. So don’t be too subtle for women, so if you have a health quick to dismiss shortness of breath or history like yours it’s especially important lightheadedness as just anxiety. And make to be aware. sure you tell medical professionals that you

Chest pain or discomfort is the most think you might be having a heart attack, common symptom for both women and not an anxiety attack. men. The pain may last a few minutes or Quick treatment can restore blood flow come and go. The pain may be severe or to the heart and help prevent damage. So may feel like a pressure or discomfort; be aware of these warning signs for both sometimes people describe it as heartburn. yourself and others. If there’s even a slight

Women are more likely than men to chance you could be having a heart attack, have other heart attack signs, including don’t wait. Call 911 and get to a hospital to shortness of breath with or without chest give your heart the best chance! pain; nausea or vomiting; lightheadedness; Prevention is just as important as back, shoulder, arm or jaw pain; and treatment of heart disease. Make sure to

Dr. Banerjee

is an interventional cardiologist at PeaceHealth’s Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute. Learn more at peacehealth.org/ohvi