Austin, TX — The leading cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease, and yet signs of poor heart health in women are often overlooked by both doctors and patients.
“Heart health in women, especially, has historically not been as focused on,” said Dr. Kevin Kurian, a cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin. “A lot of that deals with how people initially did research studies on cardiovascular disease, primarily focusing on men in those studies.”
Because research focuses more on signs of heart disease in men, signs of heart disease in women are less widely known. Both men and women may experience chest pain, but women could also have shortness of breath, a reduction in stamina and feeling faint when exercising.
Patients may also miss signs of poor cardiovascular health in their own bodies simply because heart disease is often associated with old age. In reality, Kurian said, 45% of women by the age of 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
“The majority of women who enter pregnancy, for instance, according to the American Heart Association, actually have sub-optimal cardiovascular health,” Kurian said. “That’s young women who otherwise, to their knowledge, are doing just fine.”
While there is no foolproof way to prevent heart disease, routinely following up with a primary care doctor and keeping up a healthy diet and exercise regimen are good places to start. Screenings may also catch things like coronary artery disease in its early stages.
“Heart disease comes in lots of different shapes, sizes, colors and forms, and so it’s important to take your health seriously,” Kurian said.