When it comes to health risks for women, cancers such as breast cancer are often the focus. Cardiovascular diseases, on the other hand, are still underestimated. With over 180,000 deaths in 2021, these are among the most common causes of death. The main warning signs.
It is the leading cause of death in women: 180,000 die each year as a result of cardiovascular disease. 52,000 of these deaths are due to coronary heart disease (CHD) alone, and over 18,000 to heart attacks. The latter in particular was often perceived as a “male disease”. However, this is wrong, experts from the German Heart Foundation are now warning.
“Even in women, heart diseases such as heart failure and coronary artery disease are the most common reason for hospital admissions and premature death,” warns cardiologist Thomas Voigtländer, CEO of the German Heart Foundation. “Heart disease and its complications, such as a heart attack, can vary in terms of symptoms and how they develop, depending on gender. We have to draw women’s attention to these special features and sensitize them to targeted preventive measures,” he emphasizes.
Since the symptoms in women are not always clear, their symptoms are often misinterpreted. As a result, women are often hospitalized much later than men. Women should therefore be particularly careful with certain symptoms.
The Heart Foundation lists the following as the most important warning signs of a heart attack in women:
More on the topic: Is your heart healthy? Find out with a 12-point check
The Heart Foundation also recommends that women pay attention to five points:
If even minor exertion leads to shortness of breath and you are exhausted early: Talk to your doctor and ask him for an examination.
If you suspect a heart attack, call the emergency services immediately on 112: Better to call once too many than too few.
Ask about the normal values for blood pressure, blood sugar, body weight and blood lipids. Also reduce the risk factors that you can influence. The Heart Foundation includes the following:
Do you want to know how high your risk of a heart attack is? Here you can take a test and have it assessed.
Maintain an overall lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.
Take heart medication regularly. If you suspect side effects, do not change the medicine or dosage yourself. Contact your doctor.
Don’t be hasty in refusing examinations and interventions. Take someone you trust with you to important doctor appointments.
You can find more information on the website of the German Heart Foundation.
