Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and disability in urban women

PSM News /

New Delhi, 2015

In India, urban women are at a greater risk of heart disease today. The reasons for this include an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by a predominantly high trans-fat, sugar and salt diet, inadequate physical exercise, increased stress levels, dependence on addictive and harmful substances like alcohol and cigarettes amongst others. The largest group of women at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is aged between 35 to 44 years. The risk of CVD is as high amongst housewives as it is amongst working professionals. As far as risk factors for CVD are concerned, low HDL or “good” cholesterol and high body mass index (BMI) are the two most common contributors to CVD risk setting in as early as 35 years for women.

“Important differences between women and men in the presentation of heart disease make it more difficult to establish a diagnosis in women. For instance, heart disease in women generally presents 10 years later than men and with greater risk factor burden. Women are also less likely than men to have typical angina and have a higher false positive rate in the treadmill test. The symptoms of heart disease in women are different from those seen in men,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) & Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony Secretary General, Indian Medical Association (IMA).

It is a fact that women are more likely to present initially with chest pain than a more clearly defined event such as heart attack. Many cases of heart attack in women also go unrecognized. Also, small vessel disease is more common in women than in men. The established risk factors of heart disease in women include the presence of history of heart blockages; age over 55 years; high LDL “bad” cholesterol or low HDL “good” cholesterol , diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease or family history of heart disease. 

Risk factors, which are more potent in women than in men include regular consumption of tobacco, which causes 50% of all cardiac events in women; obesity and diabetes.

Following are the ways in which women can prevent future heart disease

  • Moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes and for 60 to 90 minutes for weight management on most days of the week
  • Avoidance and cessation of cigarette smoking and passive smoking
  • Keep waist circumference less than 35 inches
  • Consume a heart-friendly diet.
  • Control cholesterol level, high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Women who smoke should avoid oral contraceptive pills.
  • Aspirin 80 mg should be added in women medicines who are older than 65 years of age.
  • Treat underlying depression