Her Heart...

Is Important Too. Women, Take Risks Seriously

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It’s estimated that almost half of the women don’t realize that heart disease is the top cause of death in women – just as it is for men.

For women, understanding heart-health risks can provide the knowledge and motivation to take seriously the medical steps and lifestyle changes that can greatly reduce this risk.

Large And Small

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a process in which the inner layer of arteries is damaged. Inflammation may be one of the factors that start the damage, and fatty deposits (plaques) tend to accumulate at the site over time. This process is called atherosclerosis. It can narrow arteries and reduce – or sometimes eventually block – blood flow.

CAD can set the stage for eventual heart attack, heart failure or potentially deadly heart rhythm problems. Atherosclerosis can also occur in other arteries, such as those that supply the brain with blood, increasing the risk of stroke.

As the name suggests, coronary artery disease occurs in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Traditionally, CAD has been assumed to affect only the larger arteries that supply blood to the heart. Indeed, women and men most commonly experience CAD in the largest heart arteries.

But there’s another way CAD can occur that’s more common in women than in men. It’s called coronary microvascular disease, and it involves clogging and narrowing – or improper function – of the heart’s tiniest blood vessels. If your doctor suspects CAD but large vessel diagnostic testing shows clear arteries, additional diagnostic testing may be performed to detect coronary microvasuclar disease.

Subtle Symptoms