If you’ve ever read a romance novel, you’ve probably seen the cliche phrase, “listen to your heart.” Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to tell you in this blog, but for an entirely different reason!
It’s often said that women spend a lot of time caring for others and very little time spent paying attention to their own needs. That certainly isn’t true for every woman, but by and large, it’s a reality.
Women have a variety of responsibilities, both in the workplace and in the home. In many cases, they’re caring for both children and aging parents, meaning their attention is pulled in multiple directions.
With all of those things in play, it’s no wonder that sometimes our health gets put last.
But it’s time to flip the page—make today the day you commit to paying close attention to your health and your heart.
What Women Should Know About Heart Health
But in reality, many medical conditions have few noticeable symptoms. They may develop over the course of months or even years without causing any sign that alerts you to a problem.
That’s the case with many of the conditions that are risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Because of that fact, it’s important to have regular checkups so that your medical provider can order tests that help gauge your health status. Knowing your heart health numbers, including your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your blood sugar, is important.
Schedule your appointment—and don’t cancel on yourself!
Women have unique heart health needs and concerns. Women’s Heart Center of Georgia Heart Institute is here to help, offering a full scope of services related to women’s heart health.
Know the Signs of a Heart Attack
Women often experience heart attack symptoms that overlap with the symptoms of other, much less serious medical conditions. Because of that, those symptoms may be ignored until a heart attack has occurred and done damage to the heart.
Know the symptoms of a heart attack—and be quick to react if they occur, even if you think they’re caused by something other than your heart. Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Jaw, neck, or back pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
Beyond the symptoms above, which are also common in men, women are more likely to experience other symptoms, which is where things get tricky. These symptoms may be harder to decipher as heart-related:
- Extreme fatigue
- Fainting
- Indigestion
- Pain in the upper abdomen
Adding to the confusion, women may also be more likely to experience a heart attack without crushing pain or pressure in the chest area.
If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly in combination or over a length of time, seek immediate medical attention. It’s far better to be safe than sorry when your heart is at stake, so listen to your heart.
Heart Care For Generations
As the state’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program, Georgia Heart Institute is reimagining the patient experience, integrating services across all heart and vascular specialties, and incorporating innovative breakthroughs into the care our experts provide every day. Ultimately, our impressive team of cardiologists, surgeons, and highly-trained specialists is doing whatever it takes to keep patients’ hearts at their healthiest. We’re here to save and improve lives for generations.