Many women get screened for breast and cervical cancer, take care of everyone at home, and never check their own hearts. Yet heart disease, not cancer, is the most common cause of death in women. At the same time, cardiologists are seeing heart attacks in much younger people.
Quick takeaways
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.
- Hormonal protection before menopause is not guaranteed.
- Long hours, poor sleep, smoking and obesity are driving disease in the young.
- The best approach is to stop risk factors from developing at all.
When to get emergency help
Call an ambulance (108 in India) or go to the nearest emergency department straight away if you have severe chest pain or pressure, pain with sweating, breathlessness, fainting, or sudden severe tearing pain in the back. Do not drive yourself, and do not wait to see whether an antacid helps.
What is changing in women
Before menopause, hormones were long thought to give women strong protection. Dr. Kumar says this protection is becoming less dependable, especially in women with diabetes or an early family history. Because women are often so tolerant of discomfort, symptoms may go unnoticed. Unusual tiredness, palpitations or dizziness deserve attention.
Anaemia also matters. Low haemoglobin, which is common in women, can bring on symptoms even when heart disease is mild.
Why younger adults are affected
- Pushing too hard towards ever-higher targets
- Night shifts and day-night working patterns
- Missed meals, junk food and smoking
- Little physical activity, leading to obesity
- Rising diabetes and blood pressure at younger ages
- Genetic risk: Indians may be more prone to heart disease, and may have smaller coronary arteries
Family history deserves special care. If a father had a heart attack at 40, his children can be at risk around the same age. Healthy habits should begin at least a decade earlier, and ideally from school age.
Which tests should you discuss with your doctor?
| Test | What it checks |
|---|---|
| HbA1c | Long-term blood sugar |
| Lipid profile | Cholesterol |
| CBC / haemoglobin | Blood count and anaemia |
| hs-CRP | Inflammation, a further marker of risk |
| Serum creatinine | Kidney function |
On hs-CRP, Dr. Kumar notes that it is a useful marker, but not as powerful a risk factor as diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking.
Stop the risk before it starts
Doctors call this primordial prevention: making sure you never develop high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol in the first place. Early exercise, weight control and good food habits are the foundation.
Be aware, not afraid
Dr. Kumar is pleased that more young people are getting checked. But there is no need to become anxious or obsessive about it. Follow healthy habits, notice symptoms on exertion, manage stress, and avoid smoking and drugs.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some people collapse suddenly during dancing or exercise?
The body often gives earlier warning signs, such as mild discomfort on exertion, which get ignored. A sudden blockage can then trigger a dangerous heart rhythm.
Does gum disease cause heart disease?
Frequent infections do not by themselves mean you have heart disease. Infection and inflammation can contribute to plaque problems, and dental infections are a particular concern for people with leaking heart valves.
Does smoking only affect the lungs?
No. It narrows blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the heart, legs and kidneys, and is linked to many cancers.
Have a question about your heart?
Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Cardiology and Clinical Research at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. If you have symptoms or risk factors, book a consultation rather than waiting for them to get worse.
This article is for general education and is adapted from Dr. Kumar’s public talks on SumanTV. It does not replace medical advice for your own condition. Please do not start or stop any medicine without speaking to your doctor.