Is Your Heart In It?

Author: Dr. Blair Green PT, DPT, OCS, PHC

I woke up this morning to a post in my inbox from my friend and colleague Kate Edwards, PT about recognizing the red flags of heart disease with running (You can read it here). This was right on the heels of listening to a podcast last week about heart health and perimenopause with Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Jayne Morgan (listen here). Clearly, the signs were pointing for me to write about this super-important topic that we really do not spend enough time on in the women’s health world. Which is CRAZY because did you know?

HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN WOMEN

That’s right, not cancer or hip fractures or stroke. Heart Disease.

I would not call that a fun fact, but it’s an important one and something we can’t continue to blindly ignore.

Some other facts about heart disease in women you may not know:

• As we age, a woman’s risk of a cardiac event goes from less than half of a man to more than that of a man 
• Women under 55 years old are 7 times more likely to be sent home from the ER with symptoms of a heart attack
• Women experience more vague cardiac symptoms, such as indigestion, nausea, flu-like symptoms, fatigue
• Early onset menopause is associated with an increased risk of  heart disease
• Less than 5 hours of sleep / night can increase the risk of heart disease in older women

I know all of this can seem scary. Trust me, I felt the same way when I started to hear some of these facts. However, this does not mean we are all headed towards impending doom once we begin the menopause transition. In fact, there are a lot of things we can do to minimize our risk of heart attacks and other cardiac events.

• Start with sleep: aim for at least 5 consecutive hours of sleep each night
• Move: walk, do 5-10 squats hourly during the work day, try wall push ups or simple yoga stretches
• Eat Whole Foods: limit processed meals, cook at home, reduce trans fat intake, fill up on fruits and vegetables
• Manage Stress: consider yoga, meditation, talk therapy, spending time outdoors
• Consider a Heart Rate Monitor: many wearables, even an AppleWatch, track heart rate. This is the best way to notice a change, especially subtle changes

I also recommend following up with your PCP who may be able to recommend a cardiologist. There are a number of lab tests that can identify markers that increase your risk of heart disease. This is even more important if you are experiencing signs and symptoms such as increased blood pressure, excess fatigue, subtle GI symptoms, chest pain, or rapid changes in your heart rate with minimal effort. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your heart health. Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional about your symptoms. Be proactive!