Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and it affects women differently than men. Dr. Speck provides screening and treatment for women from across Seattle, WA at her Speck Health practice in the Ballard neighborhood of the city.
The biggest difference is the way that heart attacks are experienced. Instead of the crushing chest pain- most often associated with heart attacks, women may feel some pressure or discomfort in the chest, that may not be the dominant symptom. Women are more likely than men to have a heart attack without chest pain at all. Some of the symptoms more commonly experienced by women include:
These symptoms are not only more subtle, but also typically associated with other issues or conditions and it may be due to the fact that women are more likely to have several small blockages in the smaller arteries that supply blood to the heart instead of one large blockage in a major artery.
Many of the risk factors are the same for patients of both genders, but some play a bigger role in the development of cardiovascular disease in women. For example, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease more significantly in women. Mental stress and depression have a greater effect on women’s hearts than men’s. Issues like smoking, metabolic syndrome, and physical activity levels have been shown to affect women more than men. Also, issues associated with pregnancy and menopause have an effect on women’s cardiovascular health.
Women of all ages, with or without a family history, should take heart disease seriously. All women should practice the following behaviors:
Below is a short-list of just some of the plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed below.