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Holiday stress could be particularly bad for women

Since women are usually the primary drivers behind organizing family visits and feasts, they may experience more stress than men during the holidays, and that can be bad for heart health.

Cardiovascular disease can be made worse — and even caused — by stress, says Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center cardiologist Karla Kurrelmeyer, M.D. Kurrelmeyer says women don’t always know they’re experiencing a cardiac event, in part because symptoms for women are not always as recognizable as they are for men. A survey in 2006 showed women believe they are at greater risk for breast and other types of cancer and even HIV/AIDS than cardiovascular disease. As a result, women are less likely than men to believe they’re having a heart attack and more likely to delay seeking emergency treatment.

The reality is cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women. Approximately half a million women die of cardiovascular problems every year—about 17 percent more women die than men yearly. The rate of cardiovascular-related deaths in American women has not declined over the last 30 years. Even if it is 10 minutes before the Thanksgiving meal, women need to pay attention to the symptoms (listed below) of a heart attack.

• Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath;
• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone;
• Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness;
• Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling;
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Read full article greennewssandiego.com 

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