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by BMB | Published on 22/07/2022
Women often tend to take their health issues very lightly and overlook symptoms that could be a sign of something very serious. Although heart problems are believed to be more common in men, women too experience the same and the rates have tremendously increased in the past few years with healthy lifestyle practices becoming more and more common. When was the last time when you heard your mother, wife or sister speak of going for a heart health check? Never? You will see women worrying more about getting breast cancer rather than heart disease, even though the mortality rates of the latter have been found to be nearly 6 times higher. As such, you need to pay more attention to your heart health.
Experts specializing in valve replacement surgery in Kolkata suggest that it is important to understand that healthy heart habits that you develop from an early age will help to alleviate the risk of serious heart diseases as you grow older.
20s and 30s
These years somewhat lay the foundation of your heart health and to a great extent determine how it is going to work in the coming years. It is during these years that your estrogen levels are at their peak and this is the reason why your risk of developing problems like clogged arteries or cholesterol is significantly alleviated. Most women plan their pregnancy in their 20s and 30s and it has been found at those experiencing pregnancy-related complications like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later on in life. In fact, if you have preeclampsia during your pregnancy your chances of having heart failure are four times higher as compared to women who did not face any such problem.
Luckily, the risks can be alleviated with proper care and guidance. If you have been experiencing any such problem during your pregnancy you need to see your doctor on a frequent basis. You might also need to get in touch with a cardiologist. In case you are not experiencing any problems you should still go for regular checkups to assess the risk factors and watch out for any red flags.
During these years your major focus should be on developing healthy eating habits. One of the best diets that you can try is the Mediterranean style diet, which predominantly includes fruits, vegetables whole grains and lean protein. If you are into smoking, try to get rid of the habit as soon as you can. Try to lead an active lifestyle with at least 150 minutes of exercise every week. You can also join a gym or go for aerobics, whatever keeps you moving.
40s
Being in your 40s either means that you are nearing your menopause or have already hit it. Once you stop ovulating the estrogen levels in your body start to decline and this is when your heart becomes more susceptible to various diseases and ailments. This is the time when most women have started their families and are busy looking after their kids. They hardly get any time to look after themselves and tend to the needs of their heart. Well, experts from the top cardiac hospital in Kolkata suggest that it is very important for women in their 40, or above, to keep a track of their blood pressure and blood sugar.
Make sure that your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg per deciliter, with LDL less than 100 mg per deciliter and HDL higher than 50 mg per deciliter
Your triglyceride level should not be more than 150 mg per deciliter and fasting blood sugar should be less than 100
Do let your body mass index go about 25 and your blood pressure exceeds 120/80.
If any of the numbers are not in the safe range, consult a doctor immediately for effective management.
50s
Most women have hit many poses by this age and their estrogen levels are significantly low or even negligible, making them highly prone to various heart diseases including atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, the HDL cholesterol levels also tend to decrease whereas LDL cholesterol and triglyceride level spike up once you stop ovulating. Many women think that going for hormonal therapy might help but it is important to understand that the estrogen that is produced naturally inside your body protects the heart whereas the supplements come with side effects that can have a negative impact on your heart.
Whether you are experiencing some symptoms or not it is always important to keep a track of all the numbers and go for regular assessment to calculate your risks of any serious heart disease. Your doctor will help to cure it with a proper plan to reduce your rest of developing any potentially fatal heart disease and also help to keep smaller health issues at bay. As you are at a high risk of developing atherosclerosis, you can always go for a low-dose non-contrast CT scan for determining your calcium score which is an indication of the amount of calcification in your body.
60s
Women in their sixties are at a very high risk of having a heart attack and around 71 percent of the females in this age group already have some heart-related problem. It is very important for you to maintain a daily activity level that is sufficient for keeping your heart beating healthily. You should focus on eating foods that benefit your heart in one way or the other and keep a close tab on various risk factors. You can get in touch with a doctor to plan your treatment and even get a personalized diet plan that will lead to the best results for you. In case you are experiencing any symptoms, make sure that you bring them to the notice of your specialist.
If you wish to know more about your heart health and how you can wade off the risks of serious heart problems, consult the best heart doctors in Kolkata, today.
