A new study may help explain why some women have a higher risk of heart disease. Research led by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health shows that a higher volume of a certain fat that surrounds the heart, is significantly linked to a higher risk of heart disease in women.
Investigators say this extra fat in women after menopause, and in middle-aged women with low levels of estrogen, is associated with hardening of the arteries, an early sign of heart disease.
A woman’s risk of heart attacks and strokes does increase as she gets older. Doctors say it’s important to be aware that signs of heart problems in women can differ from those seen in men.
“Almost two-thirds of women will present with a heart attack without truly having chest pain, so they will have other symptoms, such as jaw discomfort, abdominal pain, pain in the belly, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and a lot of time, they don’t pay attention to it,” said Dr. George Jabbour, an interventional cardiologist at UPMC Altoona.
He said these symptoms require immediate medical attention, but it’s even better to try to prevent heart problems by keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
This Friday, February 3, on National Wear Red Day, UPMC will offer free blood pressure checks, and other heart healthy information at the UPMC Altoona hospital atrium and UPMC Altoona Station Medical Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at the UPMC Bedford Memorial main lobby from 12 to 2 p.m.