ROME, Ga., Feb. 2, 2024 – Contrary to popular belief, heart disease can affect women at any age. The good news? Your OB-GYN can play a key role in helping you stay healthy. Most cardiac-related incidents can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes.
“According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is responsible for 1 out of every 3 female deaths," said Dr. Kristen Leezer, an OB-GYN with Atrium Health Floyd Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic. “A healthy heart starts with education so it's important to know if you at risk."
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put women at a higher risk for heart disease, including diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet.
“Women can also experience unique life events such as pregnancy and menopause that can also impact their risk," Leezer said.
Overall, a man's heart and a woman's heart are anatomically similar. However, the genetic, hormonal, and physiologic composition of women are different than men and can influence how the heart responds to different life stressors, unique life phases (puberty, first occurrence of menstruation, pregnancy, menopause), cardiac medications and cardiac interventions. These differences and the impact on heart health are complex and not completely understood.
Unfortunately, women continue to remain underrepresented in clinical trials. As more women participate in clinical trials, scientists are learning more about the many ways their hearts function differently from men's so better prevention measures and therapies can be developed and tailored towards women.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in pregnant women and women in the postpartum period. It affects approximately 1-4% of the pregnancies in the United States each year. These rising trends in maternal deaths related to cardiovascular disease appears to be due to acquired heart disease such as cardiomyopathy.
“Pregnancy-specific conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes can be predictors of future cardiovascular disease. Women with a history of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes should have ongoing care with a medical provider and continued risk modifications," Leezer said.
For many women who are still in their childbearing years, their OB-GYN may be their primary care provider. Your OB-GYN is a great resource for determining your risk of heart issues.
“Patients should feel confident talking to their OB-GYB about their cardiac health," said Leezer. “We can discuss your family history with you and can also determine any risk factors."