Why Women Must Become "Heart Smart"

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

Have women been getting the short end of the stick when treated for heart disease? Whatever way you look at the problem this seems to be the case. For years research studies have focused on heart disease in men. But heart disease is not only a "man's disease". It is also the biggest killer of women.

Ask anyone what kills most women and many answer, "breast cancer". Yet the number of deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) is seven times greater than those from malignancy of the breast.

This misconception has created a problem for women suffering from CHD. Those with symptoms suggestive of heart disease are less likely to be referred to a heart specialist. They have less chance of being investigated for coronary disease. And if CHD is present women are less often treated.

The number of women admitted to hospital for coronary disease is less than males. They're also not as likely to receive medication to dissolve a blood clot or undergo by©pass surgery. Add this up and it's understandable that women are beginning to complain about their treatment.

Does this mean there's a conspiracy by male doctors against the female sex? Some women think so and agree with the German proverb that, "The only real equality is in the cemetery".

Others give male doctors the benefit of the doubt when they examine the facts.

For instance, prior to menopause women's coronary arteries are protected by the female hormone estrogen. So doctors rarely see women with a myocardial infarction before age 50. That's why they're less likely to think of heart disease when they see a postmenopausal patient with chest pain.

But after 50 years of age estrogen levels gradually drop and women start to catch up to men in CHD rates. By 65 to 70 years of age they're neck and neck with men, with one in three affected by CHD.

Heart symptoms also differ between the sexes. Men suffering from coronary spasm complain of a crushing, squeezing pain, a heaviness on the left side of the chest, and pain that goes down the left arm or radiates to the shoulder.

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The pain is less typical in women. They may complain of pain in the back of the breast. Or aching in the neck. It means they're more likely to be sent home with a diagnosis of heartburn, anxiety or a panic attack.

Doctors tend to undertreat females for another reason. There's always a risk associated with treatment. For instance, injecting dye for an angiogram results in a major complication once in every 800 cases. It's not a test you want to order if you don't suspect coronary disease. Moreover by©pass surgery is more difficult in women due to their smaller blood vessels.

There are other disturbing facts. Women are more likely to die during a first heart attack than men. They're also at greater risk of a second attack soon after the first. And they more often die within a year.

Faced with these odds it's vital for women to become "heart smart". The best way is not to fall into the many traps that trigger heart attacks.

Don't become "apple©shaped" from excess pounds. Obesity and diabetes resulting from extra pounds are a major risk factors for coronary attack. The best protection is to buy a scale, decrease calories and exercise every day.

See a psychiatrist if you're still smoking. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of heart disease 20 times! About 70 percent of heart attacks in premenopausal women occur in smokers.

Believe science and not hearsay about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women taking estrogen have half the risk of heart disease.

Don't forget the Boston Nurses Study that involved 90,000 nurses. It showed that those who took one to six Aspirins (ASA) a week had a 25 percent reduction in coronary attacks. Yet one survey showed that only 49 per cent of patients who have had a heart attack are taking ASA to prevent another one.

Recent studies suggest that lower doses of ASA (75mg) a day may be as effective as the larger dose in preventing heart attacks. ASA makes blood platelets more slippery so they're less likely to form a blood clot. Tylenol, which some women are taking to prevent heart attack, does not possess ASA's ability to keep the circulation well©oiled.

Eat a wholesome low fat diet with fruits and vegetables. And adding vitamin C and E can reduce heart attack by 50 percent.

See your doctor to make certain you don't have hypertension as it's a major risk factor for both sexes. Women who take these preventive measures will obtain equality with men long before the grave. Œ™

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod