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Heart disease has increasingly become prevalent in India, particularly in women. When we think of heart disease, the symptoms that come to mind are chest pain or a heart attack. While these can be warning signs, women often experience subtle and less obvious symptoms, making early detection challenging. Because these signs are frequently dismissed or mistaken for other conditions, many women delay seeking medical help which is a dangerous oversight that can lead to serious complications. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, yet the symptoms often go unnoticed or are attributed to stress or other minor health issues.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Dixit Garg, Consultant Intervention – Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Gurugram listed five warning signs of heart disease that women often ignore.

What are the signs that women tend to ignore?

Unexplained Fatigue- It is common to feel exhausted after a long day, but despite good sleep, persistent fatigue may be something more. Women tend to dismiss chronic tiredness but this may be an indication that the heart is not functioning effectively.

Difficulty Breathing- Shortness of breath when engaging in ordinary activities or when resting is commonly dismissed as a stress or anxiety side effect. Frequent problems may be a sign of a heart issue.

Upper Body Discomfort- Women do not always get the typical chest pain that is usually linked with heart attacks. They might feel pain in the neck, jaw, shoulders or upper back. The pain is usually mild and may lead to conclusions of muscle strain or indigestion when it might be an indication of heart disease.

Nausea, Light-headedness or Dizziness- These are often brushed off as symptoms of an upset stomach or dehydration but they might indicate heart problems.

Excessive Sweating And Irregular Heartbeats- Excessive sweating, particularly when one is not exercising could be another under-recognised symptom of heart disease. Cold sweats or palpitations are usually attributed to anxiety, but they are early warning signs of heart disease, too.

What can be done?

Get Regular Heart Checkups- Regular health checkups are essential, especially as women enter their 30s. Regular check-ups of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can identify potential issues early on.

Choose A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle- Living a healthy life with a good balance of diet fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and daily activity such as a daily walk of 30 minutes will go a long way to minimising the risk for heart disease.

Effectively Manage Stress- Chronic stress and tension are bad for the heart. Women must prioritise stress-relieving actions such as meditation, yoga or other relaxation strategies to regulate stress levels.

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