Heart Disease

PrideHealth

By Dr. Sandy Charles

What every woman needs to understand about heart disease

Heart disease is the leading killer of American women – a fact that usually takes people by surprise. Many incorrectly assume that breast cancer is the No. 1 killer.

But heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Breast cancer kills 1 in 39 women; heart disease kills 1 in 5.

My interest in cardiology comes from a deeply personal place. As a child, I watched my grandmother suffer from cardiovascular disease. I now make it my mission to provide people with as much information as possible to empower them. Here are a few things about heart health I think everyone should know. • About 80% of heart disease is preventable. There’s so much that’s beyond our control, but heart health is mostly within our control. Even small lifestyle modifications can lead to significant results. • Heart attack symptoms can differ for men and women. Men having heart attacks typically present with chest pain.

Some women have chest pain, too, but they may also have indigestion, fatigue or difficulty breathing when having a heart attack. • Black women, in particular, have a high risk of heart disease. More than 50% of Black women aged 20 or older have high blood pressure. That puts us at greater risk for heart disease. There are many theories as to why that’s so. It could be genetic. It may also be due to increased consumption of high-sodium foods and physical inactivity. • The first symptom of heart disease is sometimes death. That’s the scariest thing about heart disease.

Sudden cardiac death can be the first manifestation that something is wrong.

Sometimes there’s no second chance. • High blood pressure, high

cholesterol and a family history of heart disease are among risk factors.

• Obesity is another prominent risk factor for heart disease. So, it’s important to know your body mass index (BMI). If it’s too high, take steps to lower it. • Diabetes is a big risk factor. Patients diagnosed with diabetes are assumed to already have plaque buildup in their hearts. And women with diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease than men.

What can you do?

• Be your own advocate. Heart disease can go untreated or undertreated in women, and I think there can sometimes be an underlying bias. Doctors may not suspect you could have heart disease if you are young and “look” healthy. • Pay attention to nutrition. Simply knowing about the foods you're putting in your body is important. A lot of the sugary drinks people consume have even more sugar than you might imagine. For example, a 20-ounce glass of soda can have 65 grams of sugar, the same amount of sugar as more than a dozen chocolate chip cookies (depending on the cookie). • Get moving. Exercise is incredibly important. Try for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. When my patients say they don't have time to fit it in, I always say: Nothing is more important than your health. If you’re currently not exercising, start small. Walk around the block. Walk in place while you’re on a phone call. Anything is better than nothing.

• Care for body,

mind and soul. Mental and emotional health are connected to heart health. We are living in really stressful times, and women are frequently wearing the Superwoman cape and doing too many things at once. COVID19 has made things a lot worse on that front. These times can make us anxious, depressed, sleepless. All these things factor into heart health. • If you're having any cardiac symptoms, get treated. Too many people are scared to seek medical attention now – because of COVID-19 – even when they have symptoms. So, more people are suffering and dying from heart attacks at home instead of seeking help. Bottom line: Do not be afraid to seek medical attention if you develop concerning symptoms. The sooner you

seek care, the better!

September 29 is World Heart Day. It’s a great time to do a check-in with yourself. How are you feeling? Are you taking control of your health? It’s not too late. It’s even possible to reverse any damage already done by eating whole foods, exercising and getting routine checkups. It’ll do your heart – and your body – good. P

Dr. Sandy Charles is the medical director of Novant Health’s Women's Heart & Vascular Center in Charlotte. She’s a passionate advocate for heart health for everyone, but she is especially focused on the heart health of women.