How to spot a heart attack if you're a woman?
Thanks for asking. A heart attack can be deadly, but thankfully there are life -saving treatments out there.
However, research from the British Heart Foundation has found that women are not receiving the same standard of care as men and consequently, it's estimated that over 8 ,000 women in England and Wales died between 2002 and 2013 simply because they didn't receive the same medical attention as men.
What is causing this?
Although heart disease and heart attacks are more common in men, it is more likely to be fatal for women.
In fact, heart attacks kill twice as many women in the UK as breast cancer.
Part of the reason for this is misdiagnosis with an estimated 50 % of cases being wrongly diagnosed according to research by Leeds University.
This is especially troubling when it comes to heart issues as rapid treatment is essential in order to restore blood flow and limit damage.
Not surprisingly then, a misdiagnosis means you have a 70 % higher risk of death than someone who gets the right diagnosis and correct treatment straight away.
Misconceptions are also a factor, with women less likely to associate pain with a heart attack and seek timely medical advice, as well as an idea that women are less likely to suffer from heart attacks due to the hormone estrogen.
And while it is true that women, on average, have heart attacks 7 -10 years later than men, probably due to the hormone keeping their blood vessels supple and flexible, that does not...
Of course that's easier said than done, but one commonly recommended strategy is to pick a relaxation technique and stick with it throughout the course of the year.
Some options include meditation, hypnosis, sophrology, yoga or even cardiac coherence exercises.
Whichever one you opt for the key is consistency.
Panic attack, excessive coughing or wheezing.
What is being done to address this issue?
Primarily education and raising awareness amongst the medical professionals and the public is key to resolving the issue.
17 leading experts from around the world published a major report in The Lancet last year calling for urgent action, including more clinical trials that include women to look for how women react to treatment and encourage doctors to be more aware of heart attack in women.
The first step to closing this gender gap includes changing the public perception of women in heart attack.
The assumption that women are not at risk of heart attack is false and has proven to be deadly, says Dr.
Sonia Babuna -Ryan, a consultant cardiologist and associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, in an article in The Guardian newspaper.
There you have it. Now you know how to spot a heart attack if you're a woman.
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