Advocate Good Samaritan cardiologist urges women to make heart health a priority
In an unwelcome example of gender equality, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for U.S. men and women. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, more women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
Gaile Sabaliauskas, MD, cardiologist at Midwest Heart Specialists-Advocate Medical Group, says that this statement often elicits a murmur of surprise at presentations about women's heart health. “Many women don't realize they may be at risk or don't fully understand how important it is to make the right choices for their hearts,” she says. “This includes heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, abstinence from smoking and reducing stress. It also includes knowing their risks, getting regular screenings and being able to recognize warning signs so that they can get responsive care when they need it.”
Dr. Sabaliauskas, on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, applauds the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign, which aims to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.
One of the goals of Go Red for Women is to educate women about the signs of a heart attack. These include:
1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. It can last more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
5. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
“It is vital that women understand this last point—that they may experience the early signs of a heart attack differently than men,” says Dr. Sabaliauskas. “Fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, what some describe as ‘flu symptoms' or palpitations are often the first indications that a woman is suffering a heart attack. I have had several female patients who complained of flu-like symptoms and fatigue before they ever noticed the jaw or chest pain more often associated with a heart attack. A lack of awareness about these symptoms can prevent women from getting life-saving care.”
Dr. Sabaliauskas emphasizes that mortality rates following a heart attack are higher for women. “At all ages, women's survival from a heart attack is lower than men,” she says. “Additionally, at age 65 and older the risk of heart attack is higher for women than for men.” She says reasons for the disparity in mortality rates are not fully understood, but may relate in part to the difference in symptoms and a possible delay in getting treatment.
“We tend to think of heart disease as a more urgent problem for men, especially men ‘of a certain age,'” she says. “How often have we heard the term ‘widow-maker' when talking about a certain type of heart attack? Why don't we talk about a ‘widower-maker,' too? The way we talk and think about heart disease underscores our lack of awareness that women are at risk, too.”
What can women do? Dr. Sabaliauskas urges women to make heart health a “top of the list” priority, with steps that include:
• Regular medical evaluations that include blood pressure and lipid levels
• Diet low in sodium and sugar but rich in fruit, vegetables and low-fat protein
• Moderate to vigorous exercise
• Smoking cessation
• Stress reduction through exercise, relaxation techniques and work-life balance
“My message to women is simple…be smart about your heart health. We are so good at taking care of others. But we must start by taking care of ourselves.”