Women's heart health myths.
Purushottam Singh
Five myths about women heart health
Myth: Heart disease is a man's disease.
Fact: Although heart disease is more common in men, it is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Women are also more likely to have a heart attack without chest pain, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Myth: Only older women need to worry about heart disease.
Fact: Heart disease can affect women of all ages. In fact, heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are becoming more common in younger women due to poor lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.
Myth: Breast cancer is a bigger threat to women's health than heart disease.
Fact: While breast cancer is a serious health concern, heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Women should not overlook the importance of maintaining good heart health.
Myth: Women don't have the same symptoms of heart attack as men.
Fact: Women can experience chest pain, but they are more likely to experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, back or jaw pain, and extreme fatigue. It is important for women to be aware of all potential symptoms of a heart attack and seek medical attention immediately if they experience any.
Myth: Heart disease is not preventable.
Fact: Heart disease is largely preventable through lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing stress. Women can take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their overall heart health.