Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, especially those over age 65. In fact, heart disease is four to six times more likely to kill women than any type of cancer.

Prior research wasn’t gender specific

Donna Plonczynski, a nursing professor at NIU, recognized this issue.

“Heart disease is also the leading cause of death for males. Females have just been understudied in research,” she said. “Most information we had previously was based on males; however, that has changed now. We now have more information on women and heart disease.”

Now that proper studies are done on women and heart disease, symptoms, prevention and treatments are better understood and prescribed.

Studies show females with heart disease display different symptoms than males with heart disease. Males tend to have more dramatic symptoms such as major heart attacks or strokes. Female symptoms are harder to categorize.

“Females don’t have the ‘Hollywood’ heart attack where you clutch your arm and fall over. Women present more vague symptoms such as tiredness, nausea and a general feeling of sickness,” Plonczynski said. “These symptoms are typically under evaluated.”

While difficulty in detecting heart disease in women may contribute to the high death rate, the ability to prevent the illness does not.

Basic steps to help prevent heart disease

Thomas Kurian, a cardiologist at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, named some of the possible steps females can take.

“Knowing your family history is very important since heart disease can be hereditary. Women should know their cholesterol levels and blood pressure and treat each accordingly, eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables and grains and exercise frequently,” he said.

One of the most important prevention techniques is to not smoke.

“Female smokers can get heart disease as early as their mid-40s, where as the typical age of heart disease patients is 70s to 80s,” Kurian said.

If heart disease is detected in female patients, there are a variety of ways to treat the illness.

Megan Shugrue, a registered nurse at the DeKalb Clinic, mentioned many of these possibilities.

“Regular follow up with your doctor is important, as is taking the medication provided. Many heart disease patients need stress tests regularly, as well as frequent blood work,” Shugrue said.

Previously, hormone therapy was commonly used to prevent heart disease in females, but there was much controversy surrounding this treatment. When the hormones were given to post-menopausal women, the risks of cancer and blood clots were increased, and there was no protection from heart disease.

“Studies say hormones taken earlier in the menopausal period reduce side effects of menopause and reduce the possibility of heart disease,” Kurian said. “Later in menopause, hormones increase the cancer risk, so the benefits of the treatment are negated.”