Preventing Heart Disease in Older Women: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

Attention ladies, here's some important information you need to know: heart disease in older women is the leading cause of death among women, and this risk increases as we get older.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease in older women is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, responsible for 1 in 5 female deaths.

Furthermore, the risk of heart disease increases significantly with age, particularly after menopause. In fact, women over 55 years old are twice as likely to develop heart disease as men of the same age.

It's a sobering fact, but one that we can't afford to ignore. Unfortunately, many women tend to overlook the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease, making it difficult for doctors to catch and treat it early on.

Understanding heart diseases in older women

The occurrence and risk of heart disease differ in women and men in several ways. Here are some ways how:

Symptoms

• Men are more likely to experience the classical signs and symptoms of a heart attack, like chest pain or discomfort.
• In contrast, women may experience a typical and less obvious ones, like fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Risk factor

• Women may have different risk factors for heart disease than men. For example, women with high blood pressure during pregnancy are at increased risk for developing heart disease later in life.
• Hormonal changes, especially during menopause, can also increase women's risk for heart disease. Also, women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease compared to men with diabetes.

Diagnosis and treatment

Women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with heart disease or receive timely treatment. This may be due to differences in symptom presentation or biases in the healthcare system.

Heart conditions that are common in older women include:

• Coronary artery disease (the most common heart disease and leading cause of death in women)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Heart failure
• Valvular heart diseases (diseases affecting the valves of the heart)
• Peripheral artery disease
• Ischaemic stroke
• Cardiomyopathies

Risk factors for heart disease in older women

Several factors can contribute to the development of heart disease in older women. Some of the most prominent ones include:

1. Family history

Women with a family history of heart disease are at a greater risk of developing it themselves.

2. High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant risk factor for heart disease in older women. High blood pressure damages arteries and increases the workload of the heart.

3. High cholesterol

High LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood increase heart disease risk in older women.

4. Diabetes

Though diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease in both men and women, the latter with this condition are more likely to develop heart disease than men with diabetes. It is important to note that diabetes changes the way women perceive pain, due to which, many a time, they may experience a silent heart attack.

5. Obesity

Increased weight and obesity increase a woman's risk for heart disease. Obesity can contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

6. Menopause

Menopause is a risk factor for heart disease in women. After menopause, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Menopause does not cause heart disease.

However, the decline in oestrogen that occurs around and during menopause increases older women's risk for heart disease. At the same time, most women experience weight gain around menopause, a risk factor for heart disease.

7. Pregnancy complications

High blood pressure or diabetes (gestational diabetes) during pregnancy can increase the woman's risk of developing heart disease later in life.

8. Smoking

Smoking and heart disease have a strong association. It significantly increases the risk of heart disease, even in older women.

Symptoms of heart disease in women

The symptoms of heart disease in women are similar to those observed in men. For example, chest pain (also called angina) is the most common symptom of heart disease in men and women.

Other symptoms include:

• Generalised discomfort
• Tightness or heaviness in the chest
• Aching or burning sensation in the chest

Additional symptoms that may be seen in women (atypical symptoms of heart disease):

• Excessive or unusual fatigue
• Extreme weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Increased pulse rate
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sudden sweating with no apparent cause
• Discomfort in the neck, jaw, upper back or upper part of the abdomen

It is important to contact your doctor if you experience one or more of these symptoms or if they worsen.

Heart disease prevention strategies for older women

Most women do not realise or know their risk for heart disease, making them susceptible to heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. Knowing their risk factors can help women manage them better and lower their risk for heart conditions.

Here are a few tips and heart disease prevention strategies for older women:

1. Know your risk factors

• One of the foremost things older women must do to prevent heart disease is to know their risk!
• Understanding how likely they are to develop heart disease gives them a heads-up about the changes they need to make to their lifestyle habits and other measures they need to take to prevent it.

2. Manage your existing health conditions

• Health conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar levels (diabetes) and high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase a woman’s risk for heart disease.
• For this reason, older women must ensure their blood pressure is under control, their blood sugar levels are within the normal range, and their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels are in the optimal range.

3. Lifestyle Changes

• A heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in older women.
• They should aim to limit their intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.
• Regular physical exercise is beneficial in lowering the risk of heart disease as it improves cardiovascular health, reduces blood pressure, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
• Older women should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. A few effective activities include brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise will help older women maintain a healthy weight.
• Chronic stress contributes to the development of heart disease. Older women should find ways of managing stress for heart health.
• Some ways to bust stress are practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation, participating in hobbies, spending time with loved ones or seeking counselling or therapy from a professional.
• Limit or avoid alcohol consumption and quit smoking, as both are high-risk factors for heart disease.
• Getting a good night’s sleep is also instrumental in preventing heart disease. Frequent sleep problems or conditions like sleep apnea increase the individual’s risk for heart disease.

4. Take medications

Several medications and medical procedures may be recommended for preventing heart disease in older women. Some of these include:

• Aspirin
• Statins
• Cardiac rehabilitation (a structured program that may be recommended for older women who have experienced a heart attack, heart surgery, or other cardiac events)
• Angioplasty (insertion and inflation of a balloon within the blocked or narrowed blood vessel to restore blood flow) and stenting (placement of a small mesh tube to keep the blood vessel open)
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (A surgical procedure that may be recommended for older women with severe blockages in their coronary arteries)

These medications and procedures work by addressing specific heart disease risk factors, like high cholesterol, blood clots, or blocked arteries. It is vital to consult a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate medications and procedures based on individual health needs and risk factors.

Conclusion

Besides age, several other factors influence risk for heart disease in older women. Older women must take extra care and precautions if they are at high risk for heart disease due to their family or personal history or medical conditions.

Heart disease prevention strategies like eating a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing risk factors through medical treatment can help reduce the risk of heart disease in older women. 

Awareness of personal risks and available treatment options can empower a woman to live a long and healthy life. Physicians who follow these guidelines can help female patients make lifestyle changes and better select the right medications to help them avoid or treat heart disease.