Binder1

Heart attack
warning
signs
& how to cut your risk
The
pain
of a heart
attack is not
always severe
– it can just feel
uncomfortable
Women
can also
experience a
spreading pain
in the jaw, back,
neck, arms or
stomach...
The classic heart
attack sign is pain
in the centre of your
chest, between your
breasts or behind
your breastbone
...feeling sick, sweaty,
breathless, dizzy
or anxious and
lethargic (with
chest pain) can
be cause for
concern
The signs of a heart attack can
be less obvious in women.
Karen Evennett explains what to
look for and how to protect yourself
It may seem
impossible that
you could have a
heart attack and not
know it. Yet a recent
study found that the early
warning signs of a heart
attack are missed in one
in six people, and being a
woman means that you’re
less likely to notice the
tell-tale hints that
something is wrong.
“That’s usually because
we associate a heart attack
with that classic image of a
stressed-out businessman
clutching his arm,” explains
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate
Indigestion,
cold sweats, lightheadedness
and
collapse are also signs
that are often mistaken
for being something
less serious
Medical Director of the
British Heart Foundation.
Often the signs are more
subtle and if you know
what to look for, you can get
yourself treatment faster and
you’ll have a better chance of
saving your heart.
Did you know?
On average your
heart beats 100,000
times a day
It’s particularly important
that you pay attention to
your heart post-menopause.
“Before the menopause the
hormone oestrogen offers
some protection,” says Dr
Knapton. “Post menopause
your risk of a heart attack is
higher. Be extra vigilant if
you’re a smoker or have risk
factors such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol,
obesity and diabetes.”
“The classic sign of a
heart attack is a pain in the
If in doubt, check it ouT!
If you’re getting unusual, grumbling indigestion-like
symptoms often and you’re concerned they could be to
do with your heart, your GP can refer you to a chest clinic
within two weeks to explore the underlying reason.
If you have a sudden and acute pain that you
suspect is a heart attack, or any or the symptoms
mentioned, call 999! “Taking an aspirin could help
to reduce a clot, but don’t search for aspirin. It’s more
important to make that emergency call and then rest
quietly until help arrives,” says Dr Knapton.
Did you know? Your
heart is about the same
size as two hands
clasped together
centre of your chest, between
your breasts or behind your
breastbone – but 37 per cent
of women have no chest
pain with their heart attacks,”
says Professor Sliwa,
President-Elect of the World
Heart Federation.
Spreading pain or
discomfort in other areas of
your upper body – such as
your arms, back, jaw, neck or
stomach – are also warning
signs, and one in four women
whose heart attacks have
gone unrecognised have had
these less obvious symptoms.
Shortness of breath,
unexplained weakness or
fatigue, anxiety or unusual
nervousness can also be
surprising signs. “Indigestion,
gas-like pain, cold sweats,
nausea, light-headedness and
collapse are also signs that
are often mistaken for being
something less serious,” says
Professor Sliwa.
Take note if you are feeling
sick, sweaty, breathless or
light-headed or generally
feel unwell or lethargic with
associated chest pain or
discomfort.
Women’s hearts
are different
“You have different risk
factors to men,” says Professor
Sliwa. “Women are more at
risk of developing high blood
pressure before the age of 45
than men, putting strain on
their hearts for longer, and
you’re more likely to become
obese. Women are also more
likely to take up smoking
than men. All these things are
major risk factors for heart
disease.”
Did you know?
A woman’s heartbeat is faster than a
man’s by almost eight beats a minute
stay healthy
6ways to lower
your risk
1
If you do one thing, GIVE UP SMOKING. As
a woman, even two or three cigarettes a day
double your risk of a heart attack (a man’s
risk is doubled with five or six cigarettes a day).
2Research suggests that HAPPINESS and
a strong sense of wellbeing can
have an impact on our heart health. Make a
point of doing things that will lift your mood – a
chat with a friend or watching a funny film could
boost your heart health.
3
“You should also TAKE MORE
EXERCISE. Try not to be put off if the
guidelines seem unachievable. The
recommended 150 minutes of exercise per
week can feel daunting, but do
whatever amount you can manage
– it may well spur you on to do
more. Don’t think, ‘it’s too
late for me’ – the earlier you
start improving your lifestyle
the more you will gain,” says Dr
Knapton. If you do less than one
hour’s exercise a week you have nearly a 50 per cent
higher chance of developing coronary heart disease
than a woman who does three hours a week.
4
Even if you take lots of exercise, you’ve
more than double the usual risk of a
suffering a heart attack if you’re also obese
(which means you have a BMI of 30 or more).
It’s essential to WATCH YOUR WEIGHT and a
traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables,
oily fish and wholegrains, naturally includes most
of the key diet changes that will help to keep your
heart healthy.
5Women should stick to the
alcohol guidelines and drink no
more than 2 or 3 units a day (for men the
limit is 3 or 4 units). Over time, drinking too
much alcohol can put you at risk of heart attack
and stroke.
6
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS … Past the age
of 40 you’re entitled to a NHS Health
Check every five years at which your
blood pressure and cholesterol will be tested.
Speak to your GP or Practice nurse.
42 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 43
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