Rate Of Heart Attacks In Women Is Almost Equals That Of Men
FThere was a time when men suffered more heart attacks than women. This reality has changed and the incidence is practically equal between the two sexes. The ratio is six men for every four women. The profile of women who have a heart attack has not changed, what happens is that they are having a heart attack younger. Ischemic disease, which is the consequence of myocardial infarction, is occurring early.
Walkiria Samuel Ávila, coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Research in Cardiopathy and Pregnancy and Reproductive Counseling at Incor (Heart Institute) at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine at USP, explains that women’s lifestyle has changed in recent decades, in the sense of competition in the labor market and the triple function (they continue to be mothers, wives and responsible for domestic services). Because of this, they have a lifestyle that is not comfortable. They smoke more, drink more, are sedentary because they don’t find enough time to fulfill all the goals and functions determined by a healthy life.
Menopause and heart attack
Women have a heart attack like men do after menopause, because there is a reduction in estrogen, responsible for protecting the vessels in the body, protecting women from a heart attack. The symptoms also present themselves differently. The cardiologist points out that doctors are not prepared to diagnose the problem. “People do not usually pay attention to the symptoms, which can present themselves as chest pain, they think they are gas, stomach pain and do not go to a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.”
The World Heart Federation warns that cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death among women in the world. Mortality due to myocardial infarction in women is, in the first 30 days of post-infarction hospitalization, higher than that of men. This is because they arrive late at health services. It is worth remembering that in any cerebrovascular disease, stroke, or myocardial infarction, the earlier the treatment is provided, the greater the chance of survival and the absence of sequelae. “Women do not undergo primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, which should be done after the age of 40, with a check-up where cholesterol, glycemia and triglycerides are checked, making a health profile”, says the specialist.
Heart disease is the leading non-obstetric cause of death during pregnancy and postpartum, and for those who already have the problem. Contraceptives can contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, although they are currently less aggressive, but if they are poorly indicated and poorly controlled, they can also cause side effects.