Heart Disease: The Silent Killer Affecting Delaware Women

More than 60 million American women live with cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death among women. Medical experts emphasize that women often experience different heart attack symptoms than men and urge immediate medical attention when warning signs appear.

For years, Lori Sepich was a smoker who occasionally forgot to take her blood pressure medication. Despite these risk factors, the thought of experiencing a heart attack never crossed her mind.

“It just wasn’t registering with me,” explained the 64-year-old Memphis resident, who has endured two heart attacks spanning 13 years.

Sepich’s experience reflects a widespread reality affecting millions of American women. Cardiovascular disease impacts over 60 million women nationwide, encompassing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Contrary to popular belief that heart attacks primarily affect men, women face significant vulnerability as well.

Statistics reveal that cardiovascular disease claims the lives of one in five American women annually, with 37,000 deaths specifically attributed to heart attacks.

“Cardiovascular disease stands as the leading cause of death among women. It will impact either you or someone close to you,” explained Dr. Sharonne Hayes, a cardiologist practicing at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “Understanding heart attack warning signs and responding appropriately is crucial.”

Multiple strategies exist for reducing cardiovascular risks.

The American Heart Association developed guidelines known as “Life’s Essential 8,” which include: improving diet quality, eliminating tobacco use, achieving quality sleep, increasing physical activity, managing cholesterol levels, and controlling weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

Association president Dr. Stacey Rosen recommends scheduling routine medical appointments to address these prevention strategies, monitor overall health, and review any family history of cardiac issues.

Medical professionals also emphasize discussing risk factors that specifically or disproportionately impact women.

Women face higher rates of autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, conditions that trigger inflammation and potentially elevate heart disease risk. Additionally, women experience depression more frequently, which correlates with inflammation and harmful behaviors like prolonged bed rest.

Additional conditions linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk include pregnancy-related high blood pressure or diabetes, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth. Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats have also been connected to elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Popular culture often portrays heart attacks as middle-aged men suddenly grasping their chest before collapsing.

However, Hayes notes that reality differs significantly: “It’s probably not going to resemble those dramatic Hollywood heart attacks.”

While chest pain or discomfort represents a typical symptom, many other warning signs exist.

“Women tend to experience additional symptoms more frequently than men,” Rosen noted.

These alternative symptoms encompass back pain, breathing difficulties, cold sweats, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, jaw discomfort, and finger tingling.

Medical researchers haven’t definitively determined why symptom patterns vary between genders, though some studies indicate that biological differences may contribute to these variations.

Another distinction involves symptom onset: women may experience more gradual symptom development compared to men. Hayes frequently hears similar accounts from patients: “Symptoms appeared and fluctuated somewhat over time, but I sensed something was wrong.”

“When you suspect even the slightest possibility of a heart attack, immediately call 911,” Rosen advised, emphasizing that “it’s preferable to overreact rather than dismiss something potentially life-threatening.”

Medical experts recommend ambulance transportation to hospitals, which possess superior emergency response capabilities compared to urgent care facilities or physician offices.

Treatment delays can result in serious harm or death.

“Extended delays can lead to more severe damage,” Rosen warned.

During her initial heart attack, Sepich delayed seeking treatment too long. She had largely ignored her cardiac health issues since receiving a diagnosis of severe, hereditary high blood pressure at age 17.

Easter Sunday 2005 brought intense chest pressure, nausea, and pain spreading down her arms.

“I deliberately ignored those warning signs because I was completely shocked,” she recalled. “Fear overwhelmed me.”

She proceeded with church services and family gathering, then reported to work the following day. Eventually, her physician’s insistence led her to the emergency room, where she received six stents and remained hospitalized for one week.

Her response improved during her second heart attack, resulting in another stent placement after her cardiologist discovered nearly complete blockage in the heart’s main artery.

Today, Sepich maintains controlled blood pressure, hasn’t smoked for over twenty years, and exercises nearly daily.

She encourages other women to acknowledge heart disease risks honestly.

“Denial allowed me to rationalize my behavior. I could think, ‘This won’t harm you,'” Sepich reflected. “But it does cause harm. It can be fatal.”