Women are at as much risk of developing heart diseases as men, senior interventional cardiologist of Apollo Hospitals Tripti Deb says, adding that heart diseases and related risk factors are overlooked in women.
Women, on many occasions, do not have a “classic” picture of a heart attack, meaning severe, or crushing pain in the chest region, she avers. The symptoms, she says, include only dizziness, weakness, vomiting or very intense fatigue. “These are very vague symptoms. This is because their arteries are involved in a different way, anatomically. The pathophysiology of a heart attack in a woman is different. Sometimes, in heart attack patients, we see normal coronaries, without blockages which is known as MINOCA — myocardial infraction with no obstruction in coronaries. That is more common in women,” Dr. Deb says.
She suggests awareness that women run an equal, if not a higher, risk of having a heart attack is essential to avoid heart diseases. The importance of timely check-ups cannot be overstated. “Early check-ups are important; check-ups for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Then, a general check-up for anaemia is needed. It is also important to know if they have a family history,” Dr. Deb points out.
