Silent Heart Attacks, Screaming Sirens

"I don't understand how she died of a heart attack," a friend of mine uttered in horror. "She seemed perfectly healthy."

And there's the rub. Because in women, a heart attack can be a sneak attack.

It may shock you that women, in particular, sometimes find out months or years later that they suffered a silent attack that weakened and damaged their hearts.

What Medical Experts Say

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the "Archives of Internal Medicine" did a study that discovered 30-37% of women did NOT experience chest discomfort during their heart attack. It's disturbing, but prevention, education, and awareness can turn the tables on this problem.

Media Perspective

We've seen too many TV and movie dramas where a man clutches at his chest, gasping and falling to the floor, writhing in pain, and subsequently dying without completing a desperately needed one-word clue.

The Real Picture

But the truth is, many attack symptoms are relatively mild and either dismissed as harmless and temporary or mistaken for respiratory or other ailments. When recognized and checked by cardiologists, early signals allow them to treat the underlying conditions, preventing debilitation and death.

My Own Experience

Because I had a rapid heartbeat and the doctor could not determine a cause, I underwent an admittedly pricey (yes, despite insurance) cardiac examination that included a battery of tests. My heart turned out to be healthy, but what if the tests had revealed a faulty valve or other serious problem?

Timely treatment by the right specialist would most likely have prevented a far more serious, expensive, and dangerous course of action.

Stats and Signs

Every 40 seconds, someone in the US suffers a heart attack.

Although the NIH agrees that chest discomfort is the most common heart attack symptom, they now recognize a broader list—especially for women. One woman said that frequent indigestion was among the first signs she experienced before her heart attack, but here are others to consider:

• middle or upper back pain
• jaw pain
• shortness of breath
• cough
• dizziness
• palpitations
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• weakness

A Balanced Approach

Most women are aware that their risk of heart disease has statistically increased, but in terms of their priorities, they put prevention on the back burner. "Yeah, I know I should take better care of myself, BUT..." That decision can be disastrous.

But before you put the ambulance number on speed dial and panic every time you cough, breathe. There are basic, no-nonsense ways you can bolster your overall health and that of your heart, some of which I have listed in my previous newsletter issue:

These Actions Make a Difference

• Get regular medical checkups. Repeat, get regular medical checkups.
• Watch your weight. Obesity stresses your heart, making it pump much harder to flow blood through your body.
• Eat a healthy diet with greatly reduced or absent trans fats, excessive cholesterol, high sodium content, and processed sugars.
• Exercise regularly. Doctors at institutions like Johns Hopkins agree that exercise modifies many heart disease risk factors.
• Don't smoke or vape. Your clog-free arteries will thank you.
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol. According to "Medical News Today," Alcohol doesn't directly cause heart attacks, but it does increase heart attack risk.
• Manage your negative stress. This isn't an airy-fairy idea reserved for tree huggers. This will help maintain your health and prolong your life. Using an app like Calm for even five minutes daily can make a difference.

Why Am I Telling You This Stuff?

I know I'm not your momma and I don't know what specific challenges you face daily. But I am an empathetic human being who wants to be a part of the solution when it comes to the community's health outcomes.

In other words, I'm not here to run your life or mess with your fun. In fact, the opposite is true. I want you to enjoy your life by staying healthy. I certainly intend to.

This material was proudly generated without AI and has been researched, but always remember to avoid self-diagnosis and check with your physician about any specific health questions or recommended lifestyle changes.

An Invitation

Want positive motivation to take better care of yourself? Click on the link in my profile.

#heartattacks #heartattacksinwomen #checkups #teriselang #gatheratthehearth

Proudly generated without AI and researched from reliable medical data, but always check with your physician if you have specific questions about your health.