Bad Wiessee - A heart attack is noticeable differently in women and men, informs Dr.
Andreas Hofschneider from the Marianowicz Medical Private Clinic Jägerwinkel am Tegernsee.
Heart attack has long been considered a typical male disease.
But now more and more women are affected.
It is not only the symptoms of cardiovascular disease that differ between the sexes.
There are also differences in the area of mortality.
Andreas Hofschneider, deputy medical director and chief physician for cardiology and internal medicine at the Marianowicz private medical clinic Jägerwinkel am Tegernsee explains why this is so.
“It has been scientifically proven for years that there are clear differences between men and women when it comes to cardiovascular diseases.
Men are about twice as likely to get the disease than women, ”explains Dr.
Hofschneider, who also researches Corona.
Women are more likely to die than men
The main cause of cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis.
In the process, the vessel wall loses its elasticity and deposits constrict the vessel diameter.
The danger here: This usually develops slowly and is symptom-free for years.
Diagnosis is particularly difficult in women, among other things because they are often unable to correctly assign existing symptoms.
“Statistically, women are more likely to die than men when they have a heart attack.
They are also less likely to be diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
In this regard, there are clear differences in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease and heart failure, ”explains the expert.
Women in the emergency room late
In imaging procedures such as an MRI, for example, patients with stable angina pectoris show less obstruction of the vessels and more a tendency to cramp. A study from 2017 showed that patients over 65 with angina pectoris symptoms or heart attack symptoms can take up to four and a half hours to go to the emergency room - a long time for an emergency where every minute counts , explains the specialist from Jägerwinkel.
High blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism disorders, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity are classic, gender-independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
In addition, gender and genetic predisposition also play a role in the development of this disorder.
In women there is another risk factor: taking birth control pills.
It can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease up to 20 times.
If you suspect, dial 112 immediately
In addition, symptoms of a heart attack usually express themselves differently in women than in men.
While the often described chest tightness and the pain radiating into the left arm or back are more likely to be described by men, the symptoms in women are mostly unspecific.
Pain in the heart as well as in the shoulder, arm and back area tends to be felt by them as weak or not at all.
Instead, they are more likely to notice the pain in the upper abdomen.
Nausea, vomiting or tightness in the chest and stomach area as well as shortness of breath can be signs.
If there is a suspicion of a heart attack, immediate action is called for, because the heart is no longer adequately supplied - there is danger to life.
Therefore: Dial 112 immediately and point out a suspected heart attack.
Healthy lifestyle lowers risk
Changing your lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 50 percent.
Everyone - man and woman - can contribute to prevention themselves.
A healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and little animal fats, exercise, smoking and alcohol avoidance as well as stress management measures can keep the blood vessels elastic and healthy and are important steps in prevention.
"It shows that women in particular are more interested in making a lifestyle modification than men," says the specialist in cardiology and internal medicine.
Regular check-ups at the doctor's, especially if you have high blood pressure, are also important.
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