Although heart disease is the major cause of death worldwide for both men and women, heart health presents unique challenges for women due to biological, hormonal and lifestyle factors. Symptoms of heart disease in women often differ from people in men who complicate diagnosis.

Conditions such as pregnancy-related complications, menopause, and hormonal fluctuations affect heart health. It is important to understand these differences for effective prevention and treatment. To detect the best strategies for women’s specific risks and prevention, we Dr. Sushant turns to Srivastava, which highlights how women can better protect their heart health.

Life -long hormonal changes: Use of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal contraceptives can affect heart health. For example, the decline in estrogen during menopause increases the risk of heart disease.

Symptoms: Women often experience etipical symptoms during a heart attack, with less classic chest pain. This may be delayed in diagnosis and treatment because women may experience breath, fatigue, nausea, or lack of jaw/hand pain.

Conditions related to pregnancy: conditions such as pregnancy diabetes and preclampsia later increase the risk of heart disease.

Autoimmune disease: Autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with high risk of heart disease.

Stress and depression: Chronic stress and depression can contribute to heart disease by affecting blood pressure, cholesterol and stress hormone reactions.

• Diet: Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fat reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity such as fast walking, swimming or cycling reduces the risk of heart disease.

• Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of heart disease.

• Smoking: Quitting smoking greatly improves heart health.

• Blood pressure screening: Regular monitoring helps in detecting and managing high blood pressure.

• Cholesterol screening: Routine check cholesterol levels.

• Diabetes Screening: Regular screening is important for those for whom there are risk factors such as obesity or family history.

• Hormone treatment: Women who experience symptoms of menopause may consider hormone therapy, but should weigh its risks and benefits with the healthcare provider.

• Stress management: Techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing help to reduce stress and its negative effects on heart health.

• Heart health awareness: Understanding the risk of heart disease allows women to take active steps to protect their health.

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