Although generally the same, the symptoms of disease and heart attack in men and women have some differences. Know what the differences are so that you don't mistakenly ignore this dangerous condition.
Heart disease and heart attack are two related conditions. Heart disease is all conditions or conditions that make the heart do not function normally, such as heart failure or congenital heart defects.
While a heart attack is a condition of heart disease that is often caused by blockages in the blood vessels leading to the heart or coronary heart disease.
Heart Disease in Men and Women
There are several factors that can increase the risk of heart disease, both in men and women, namely hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus, history of infection, family history of heart disease, age, and lifestyle, such as smoking habits, diet unhealthy, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Even so, there are some differences in heart disease in men and women, although the reasons are not clear. The differences are:
- Heart disease in men tends to occur at a younger age. Whereas in women, the risk of heart disease will increase in old age, namely after menopause.
- Women with heart disease are also said to have a longer life expectancy than men with heart disease. This is associated with various diseases and complicating conditions that are more commonly found in men, such as coronary heart disease and hypertension.
UnderstandSymptom Heart Attack in Men and Women
Heart attacks are also said to be more common in men than women. Symptoms that can be recognized during a heart attack also differ between men and women. Here are the differences:
In men:
- Dizziness or feeling like you might pass out.
- Cold sweats and a fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Indigestion.
- Shortness of breath that may make you feel like you don't have enough air.
- Chest pain and pain in several parts of the body, such as the arm, left shoulder, back, neck, or jaw.
In women:
- Chest pain like pressure.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness and shortness of breath.
- Sleep and digestive disorders
- Fatigue and restlessness that lasts a long time.
- Upper back, shoulder, or throat pain.
- Jaw pain or chest pain that radiates to the jaw.
In women over the age of 50, there are some additional symptoms of a heart attack, such as severe chest pain, excessive sweating, and an irregular heartbeat.
However, these differences are not absolute. It is possible that women who have had a heart attack feel the symptoms of a heart attack in men, and vice versa.
So, although the symptoms of heart disease and heart attack in men and women can be different, you still need to recognize the common symptoms and identify the risk factors.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you have risk factors for heart disease, and go to the emergency room immediately if you experience the symptoms of a heart attack above.
