5 heart health mistakes women make – And how to avoid them

MOVE over breast cancer — there’s a bigger, more dangerous killer around. Death caused by heart disease and heart attack has, for years, been the number one cause of death for women in Jamaica. This isn’t just a man’s problem. Women are eight times more likely to die of heart disease than other leading causes of death, including breast cancer. With an opponent this dangerous, then what are women to do? Is there any hope? Of course there is! We just need to fight smarter and not harder.

Dr Camille Christian-Shelton, Consultant Cardiologist, in partnership with Partners Interventional Centre of Jamaica (PICJ) list below five common mistakes that women make in trying to take care of their heart, and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Looking for the wrong symptoms

At the first sign of chest pain, pressure or discomfort, most women are quick to schedule a check-up with their doctors. But these symptoms are not the only ones that signal heart disease. Atypical symptoms such as pain in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, arms and abdomen are just as likely to be a sign of heart disease for women. Other symptoms include chest burning that often feels like gas, shortness of breath, profuse sweating, dizziness, unusual fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Since blockages can be found in the major and minor blood vessels in women, our symptoms can be varied. This is why Dr Christian-Shelton encourages regular check-ups and avoiding risk factors, even if you are not experiencing the regular symptoms associated with heart disease.

Mistake #2: Looking in the wrong age group

While it is true that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in women at age 50 years is approximately 40 per cent and increasing, younger women are not in the clear either. One cause of heart problems in women that is fast becoming one of the major risk factors is depression. Mental stress and depression have disastrous effects on the heart and this is very common, especially in younger women who try to balance the stressors of life such as relationships, work and family life. No matter your age, be on the watch for high stress factors and situations in your life to avoid. During periods of unavoidable high stress, make a habit of deliberate de-stressing through stretching, unplugging from technology, engaging in recreation or taking a vacation.

Mistake #3: Ignoring emotional effects on heart health

Did you know that you can die from a broken heart? All those love songs had it right all along. Broken Heart Syndrome is a medically diagnosed disease. In seasons of profound stress, depression and grief, such as the death of a loved one, heart muscle failure is possible. While the failure is temporary, it has significant clinical implications, especially in post-menopausal women. What can you do? Don’t hide from the traumatic moments in your life. Be willing to get help and medical assistance where necessary.

Mistake #4: Ignoring pregnancy health problems once you’re no longer pregnant

Your baby may no longer be inside you, but the problems don’t just go away. The development of high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy (also known as gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes) may increase the long-term risk of developing these disorders which will then increase the risk of heart disease in the future. Also, certain pregnancies and deliveries can affect the muscles of the heart leading to heart failure. Dr Christian-Shelton suggests remaining in continuous communication with your doctor and informing any new doctor of your entire medical history to ensure you are treated in the best way.

Mistake #5: Yo-Yo dieting

Who doesn’t want to lose weight? It seems every day there is a new foolproof diet that celebrities are swearing by for their own ‘perfect’ bodies. We excitedly prep, buy the foods or download the app and it might work for a while, but then the weight comes back and we’re off to the next craze. This lifestyle practice of repeatedly losing and regaining weight is called yo-yo dieting, and it has been linked with heart disease. A recent study concluded that women with normal weight who engage in yo-yo dieting are 3.5 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest and 66 per cent more likely to die from coronary artery disease. Although this doesn’t mean that losing and gaining weight causes heart disease, it does suggest that the likelihood of heart disease may increase. This is why our doctors are so adamant about maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than running after the newest fad. A constant and maintained diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, water, and reduced fats, does wonders for the health overall and heart health in particular.

For more information on heart health and to speak to a doctor or schedule a check-up, call PICJ at 876-613-0165 or visit www.pic-jm.com. For emergencies, call 876-995-PICJ.