Women and Heart Disease

There is a misconception that heart disease is a man’s disease, when in reality it is a leading cause of death among Canadian women.  Women are also less likely than men to survive a heart attack or recover from heart surgery, yet the basis for diagnosis and treatment of heart disease remains geared towards men.

“Physicians and the general public are being educated that women may present with symptoms of heart disease that are quite distinct from that of men,” says Dr. George Vertes, Cardiologist at The Scarborough Hospital. “The reason for this is not clear, but obviously the diagnosis of heart disease must be entertained and investigated thoroughly regardless of sex.”

Since women’s hearts differ from men’s in both their size and rhythm, it makes sense that the signs, symptoms and risk factors of heart disease between men and women differ as well.

For example, during or prior to a heart attack, women tend to experience subtle, non-severe symptoms unlike the typical crushing chest pain experienced by many men.

Some signs that a woman might be suffering a heart attack include:
• Discomfort in the upper body
• Pain in the shoulders, upper back, abdominal area or neck
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

Due to the nature of heart attack symptoms associated with women, and the fact that women generally suffer heart attacks later in life, it’s common to mistake the oncoming attack for a panic disorder or an age-related illness. In some cases, the symptoms aren’t recognized as being related to heart disease at all.

Risk factors for heart disease that affect women include stress or depression, smoking, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Women who experience low levels of estrogen following menopause can also be at risk for heart disease.

Unfortunately, women remain under-represented in heart disease related research, and more work must be done to build awareness.

Heart disease is a serious health concern for many Canadians, but there are preventative measures both men and women can take to reduce their risk:
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
• Quit, or do not start, smoking
• Enjoy a diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol and salt

Four ways to lower your cholesterol without medication

You’ve just been told your cholesterol levels are too high. This can be overwhelming and maybe a little scary. But the good news is that if caught early, you can reduce your cholesterol levels naturally and avoid medication.

High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. So, it’s important to understand what it is and how you can control it.

“High cholesterol levels occur when your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or ‘bad’ cholesterol, is high, and your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good’ cholesterol, is low,” says Layla Al-Rehany, a clinical dietician at The Scarborough Hospital. “Healthy lifestyle and nutrition are crucial to help managing cholesterol levels.”

Here are four healthy lifestyle and nutrition strategies to reduce your cholesterol levels:

Lose weight – being overweight can result in higher LDL and lower HDL. You can improve your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease by losing about five to 10 per cent of your body weight. So, if you weigh 150 lbs, you would have to lose 7.5 to 15 lbs to reduce your risk.

Increase physical activity – to stay healthy, everyone should exercise about 30 minutes a day five times a week. This can help lower LDL and raise HDL. If you’re not currently active, try starting with a low impact activity such as brisk walking, swimming or a leisurely bike ride.

Change your diet – select foods that are lower in saturated fats, trans fat and cholesterol. Make sure to include lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein in your diet which are good sources of fibre and unsaturated fats. Here are some healthy food options:

• Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fibre foods such as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes contain soluble fibre which reduces your LDL.
• Fish and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of developing blood clots. Try to eat two servings per week of baked or grilled fatty fish such as salmon or mackerel. You can also take a fish oil supplement.
• Skinless lean cuts of meat and poultry.
• Skim or 1 per cent milk, yogurt with 1 per cent milk fat or less, cheese with 15 -20 per cent milk fat or less.
• Unsaturated oils such as canola, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, sunflower or corn – about two tablespoons each day. Use them in marinades, stir fry and salad dressings. When it comes to oils, do not choose “light” versions as they are just more processed and you will get less benefit.
• Non-hydrogenated soft margarine made from unsaturated oils.
• Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts and pistachio nuts can help reduce cholesterol. But they are high in calories, so stick to about a handful per day, and avoid nuts covered in salt or sugar.

Stop smoking – smoking lowers your HDL and raises your LDL. You can reverse these effects if you stop smoking today.

With some hard work and dedication, you can implement all of these strategies into your lifestyle and see significant changes in your blood cholesterol levels.

Seven ways to stay heart healthy

With temperatures dropping below zero, it can be challenging to stay heart healthy during the winter months. Cold weather can have a negative effect on your body, working harder to keep up its core temperature. Arteries can constrict to conserve heat, which can be bad news for those who already have heart problems.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to help your body during these cold months. You can be heart healthy.

Being heart healthy means eating well and staying active. Dr. George Vertes, a cardiologist at The Scarborough Hospital, explains the many things you can do to be conscious of the needs of your heart:

1. Visit your doctor for an annual check-up to monitor your risk for heart disease. Be aware of your family history and keep track of your blood sugar levels, cholesterol profile and blood pressure.
2. Reduce your exposure to stressful situations. Remember to take time to unwind before or after a stressful day. Do the things that help you relax. Yoga is also a great way to reduce your stress level.
3. Eat vegetables and fruit every day. Eat foods that are low in saturated fats and sodium, and lean cuts of meats. If possible, plan your meals ahead and be conscious of what you are eating when at a restaurant. A heart healthy diet is always a wise choice.
4. Smoking can negatively affect your health and the health of those around you. Being exposed to cigarette smoke can cause plaque build-up in your arteries, limit the amount of oxygen in your blood and increase your risk of developing blood clots.
5. Get some physical activity each day. Take advantage of local or company gyms to do cardio workouts or participate in group fitness classes.
6. Do not overeat. Don’t put your body under the stress of the latest unhealthy diet trend. Keep track of your waist circumference, weight and BMI and know whether you’re in the healthy weight range for your height and gender.
7. Contact your doctor if you have any of these warning signs of heart disease, such as chest discomfort or undue shortness of breath.