DID YOU KNOW: 8,6 million women die due to CVD each year

According to the 1st for Women life insurance company, a red-hot topic that deserves attention is a matter of the heart – coronary health in women.

Robyn Farrell, 1st for Women’s Executive Head, says it’s staggering that cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 8,6 million deaths among women worldwide, every year. It’s also the leading cause of female deaths in the United States.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, heart disease is the largest single cause of mortality, accounting for a third of all female deaths worldwide. In South Africa, CVD is one of the major killers, and one in four women will have some form of heart condition before the age of 60.

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“Contrary to widespread belief, men are not the only ones prone to heart disease. Women can start developing plaque in their arteries from their teens and early 20s. This condition can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, which is why women should understand their risk factors, get screenings, and make life changes where necessary,” Robyn said.

Doctors advise women to be screened from the age of 20 for weight and body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cholesterol and glucose levels. All these factors are associated with heart health, and can be treated or controlled to minimise the risk of heart disease.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, once women reach menopause, the risk of developing heart disease triples.

The warning signs for a heart attack in women are less evident than in men. Women are also more likely to ignore these symptoms, which tend not to be the classic ones, such as tightness in the chest or discomfort and pain.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• An uneasy feeling in the chest

• Abdominal pain

• A fluttering heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Dizziness and/ or fainting

• Swollen feet

“Knowing more about your health and risk factors from early on is an investment in your well-being,” said Robyn. “Undiagnosed heart issues get worse over time, so, no matter how busy you are taking care of others, show your heart some love and don’t neglect your health.”

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