Ladies now is the time to get your heart health checked.
Nicole Morgan, a nurse practitioner who visits Hamilton North Pointe clinic every Wednesday from 8:30am to 2pm, to treat Hamilton patients who have cardiovascular issues. She is raising awareness for women’s heart disease this month and every month.
Many people still think that cardiovascular disease is a man’s illness, yet heart disease is the number one killer of women. In fact, nearly 45% of women 20 years or older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Though heart disease is a broad term it often an individual with heart disease goes undiagnosed until they experience a heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure. Heart disease can be caused by a multitude of reasons, such as diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol use and/or an unhealthy diet.
We spoke with Morgan about the risk factors that impact women specifically. She explained that women’s multiple hormonal changes throughout their life can lead to elevated blood pressure levels and that may cause cardiovascular problems.
“During pregnancy cardiovascular disease accounts for over one-third of maternal deaths,” explained Morgan, “then during menopause cardiovascular risks once again accelerate.”
If you are pregnant or are headed into menopause, keep this information in mind. Also beware of the signs of a heart attack in women:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women may experience other symptoms that are typically less associated with heart attack, such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Having problems with your heart health? Schedule an appointment at Hamilton’s North Pointe clinic to talk with Nicole Morgan, NP, and learn more about your heart health and preventative measures. 810-406-4246 HamiltonCHN.org
