Surprising Risks For Heart Attack In Women

It’s a startling fact that heart attacks kill more Australian women than any other disease, including breast cancer. And many Aussie women don’t know they’re at risk. “The biggest increase we are seeing is in women aged 35-54, which is a lot younger than people think, these statistics need to change,” explains Professor Linda Worrall-Carter, founder and CEO of Her Heart.

Her Heart offers online resources and tools specifically aimed at helping women, including a new Risk Tool to help members assess their risk of heart attack. Find out more about the major risk factors of heart attack in women here.

Given that heart disease is over 80% preventable, the following surprising lifestyle factors may also be slam dunking your heart health:

Depression

Feeling depressed triggers inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that create inflammation, which can then cause damage to the lining of your heart’s blood vessel walls making them less flexible. So, when you experience anxiety and/or depression your heart rate and blood pressure rise, there's reduced blood flow to the heart and your body produces higher levels of cortisol, which is the natural response and is a stress hormone. Over time, prolonged exposure to these effects can lead to heart disease.

Protect your heart: See a counsellor and reach out to family and friends for support. Exercise regularly to boost feel-good brain chemicals – even working out just one hour a week can protect against depression, shows research from the Black Dog Institute and the University of NSW.

Noise

People exposed to greater noise levels have higher risk of heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, research shows. Living near to freeways, or on roads with high levels of traffic can disturb your sleep on a regular basis, so it is not only the length of time you sleep that’s important but also the quality - uninterrupted sleep is critical.

Protect your heart: Though you can’t control jackhammers and traffic noise, you can reduce noise exposure. Invest in some good quality ear plugs so that you have uninterrupted sleep, and use an eye mask to block out light. Wear noise-cancelling headphones when on the train or bus. Play soothing or uplifting music in the car, lower your mobile ringtone volume or put your phone on airport mode and eat dinner without the television on.

Pollution

It appears that exposure to pollution can accelerate plaque build-up in the heart, most likely due to the inhaled particles entering the bloodstream and causing inflammation. If you live near to a busy road and/or if you have to use a footpath for your daily walks then you need to consider this.

Protect your heart: Try to walk in a park as opposed to near the road. Cranking up the air-con in your car can help filter out pollutants, research shows. Indoor plants can do the same at home. NASA research shows that varieties such as peace lily, weeping fig and chrysanthemums can help filter chemicals from indoor air.

Genes

If a family member such as a brother, sister, parent or grandparent has had a heart attack, particularly between the ages of 55 and 65 – you may have an inherited risk of developing heart disease.

Protect your heart: Know your family history so you can be aware of your risk. Get a heart health check at your GP and ask about whether you need closer heart monitoring, screening tests or lifestyle changes to reduce your genetic risk.

Loneliness

Feeling alone, isolated or both, causes a 29 per cent increased risk of heart attack, shows research from the UK.

Protect your heart: Catch up with friends regularly face-to-face and stay in touch via text messages and Facebook. Join chat rooms, a book group or a volunteer organisation to meet new people. Time with friends is crucial, so why not plan a holiday together?

By Prevention Australia