Cardiac disease is the No. 1 killer of women, but few women know about heart valve disease or the associated risk factors.
A survey of women over age 50 by health care technology company Medtronic plc, revealed that 26% of respondents had not heard of the most common heart-related conditions. These include coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, and heart valve disease.
In addition, only 30% of women knew that aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, is among the most common of all valvular heart diseases.
Aortic stenosis impacts 1.5 million in the U.S. Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, can be fatal if left untreated. The average patient survival is two years without treatment, according the study.
Unpacking the Numbers
Dr. Salvior Mok, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, says many women are busy with work and taking care of their families. This often means they don’t take the time to focus on their own health.
“Women also may be unaware of their family history and lack early monitoring for risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol,” she says. “In addition, they may skip regular visits with their primary care provider, so they’re not getting screened for those risk factors.”
Other cardiac disease risk factors include smoking, diabetes, and hormonal changes due to menopause. These can lead to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Dr. Mok says.
Importance of Routine Care
It’s essential for women — and men — to meet with their primary care provider annually to check blood pressure and cholesterol levels and discuss any symptoms they may have, she says. Common signs include increased fatigue and shortness of breath. It’s also important to share any family history related to heart disease or stroke.
Delayed diagnosis among female patients means that once they see a cardiologist, they have more advanced symptoms of heart valve disease compared to male patients, Dr. Mok says.
“That’s why it’s so important to identify cardiovascular disorders in women sooner,” she says.
Reducing Risk
Women with heart disease and those at risk of developing the disease can take multiple steps to positively impact their overall health. Lifestyle and diet changes can improve heart health, Dr. Mok says. Quitting smoking and getting adequate also can reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Losing weight by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat, along with regular exercise, can make a big difference for some women,” she says.
If lifestyle changes fail to bring high blood pressure or high cholesterol under control, a woman’s doctor may recommend medication.
Heart Procedures
In more serious cases, stenting or bypass surgery also may be necessary, Dr. Mok says.
Stents are small, metal mesh tubes that are used to keep arteries from narrowing. A doctor places them during a minimally invasive procedure that lasts about an hour.
During bypass surgery, a surgeon replaces one or more blocked areas or arteries around the heart with a healthy blood vessel to redirect blood around the blocked area.
“When women are diagnosed earlier with cardiac disorders, their outcomes improve,” Dr. Mok says. “Awareness about risk factors and symptoms is essential to that earlier diagnosis.”
