Heart Health
Heart disease (or cardiovascular
disease) is often thought of as a
“man’s disease,” but the reality
is heart disease is the leading cause
of death in women in the United
States — killing more women than
all cancers combined.
Heart disease, which includes
heart attack, stroke, and heart failure,
affects women and men differently.
The symptoms are not
the same, either. Studies show that
women who experience heart attack
or stroke exhibit more subtle symptoms
than men.
A heart attack doesn’t discriminate
— it can happen to anyone at
any age. Many women who have
a heart attack do not know it. The
most common symptom in women is
pain, pressure, or discomfort in the
chest. But some women experience
a heart attack without chest pain —
and chest pain is not always the most
prominent symptom. Women may
also experience:
New York State
Nurses Association
is proud to announce the
appointment of
as Executive Director.
Pat worked in the cardiac operating room at Staten Island University Hospital (now
SIUH/Northwell Health) and served as NYSNA Treasurer. We are very fortunate to
now have her leadership.
COURIER L 26 IFE, FEBRUARY 7-13, 2020
• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back
or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue
Although many risk factors for
heart disease — such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity
— affect women and men, other
factors may increase a woman’s odds
of developing heart disease. Conditions
like diabetes, depression, and
smoking put women at higher risk
of heart disease than men. Women
with autoimmune diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may
also have a higher risk of heart disease.
The fi rst step of knowing your
risk of developing heart disease is
knowing your numbers. Talking to
your healthcare provider about your
blood pressure, blood sugar, body
mass index, and cholesterol can
help you take charge of your heart
health.
The American Heart Association
recommends:
• Blood pressure testing during
each regular health care visit beginning
at age 20
• Blood glucose testing every
three years starting at age 45
• Checking weight/body mass index
during every health care visit
starting at age 20
• Measure waist circumference
as needed starting at age 20
• Cholesterol testing every fi ve
years starting at age 20 (more often
if total is above 200; a woman older
than 50; a woman whose HDL is less
than 50 or a man whose HDL is less
than 40; or if other cardiovascular
risk factors are present).
To make an appointment with
a NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist Hospital cardiologist or
primary care physician to know
your numbers, please call 718-499-
2273.
Heart disease
in women
/NYNurses
www.nysna.org @nynurses
Pat Kane, RN,
/www.nysna.org
/www.nysna.org
