Heart health and cardiovascular disease

Women may have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For example:

• autoimmune conditions – women with conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk for heart disease
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – women with PCOS are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and a heavier weight, all of which increase the risk for cardiovascular disease
• pregnancy complications – including pre-eclampsia, premature birth, increased blood pressure during pregnancy and gestational diabetes
• starting periods at a young age
• having a history of absent or irregular periods
• anxiety and depression.

Some medicines may also increase the risk. For example:

• the Pill
• previous breast cancer treatments.

Some women with cardiovascular disease don’t have any risk factors.

Visit the Heart Foundation website to learn more about:

• risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women
• pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease.

While women can develop cardiovascular disease at any age, their risk increases after menopause. This is because the drop in estrogen hormone levels can affect:

• blood pressure
• cholesterol
• blood fats.

It’s common for blood pressure to increase with age, so it’s important to have it checked regularly, especially after menopause.

Around the time of menopause, women may gain excess weight around the stomach, which can increase their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Women who have premature or early menopause may have a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease compared with women who reach menopause at the expected age.

Research suggests that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.

In Australia, women who have a serious heart attack are less likely to get the right hospital treatment compared to men.

Women are more likely to get the wrong diagnosis from a health professional when they have a heart attack.

Research suggests that women who have symptoms of cardiovascular disease are not treated as quickly as men, and are less likely to get the same level of care that men do.

There is limited research into how cardiovascular disease affects women. Women are also under-represented in clinical trials. As a result, women are often diagnosed and treated for cardiovascular disease based on research findings about men.

It’s important to understand female-related risk factors and symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Take control of your heart health by asking your doctor about heart health checks.

Research suggests that improving your overall diet, rather than focusing on one nutrient or food, is the best way to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.

The Heart Foundation recommends that you:

• eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains
• choose healthy protein sources, including fish (and other seafood), legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and lean poultry
• limit lean red meat to one to three times a week
• choose unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese, and reduced-fat varieties if you have high cholesterol
• include healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olives (and their oils)
• flavour food with herbs and spices instead of salt
• choose water over other drinks.

This diet helps lower your risk for cardiovascular disease because it’s naturally low in saturated and trans fats, salt and added sugar.

For delicious, healthy recipes, visit Heart Foundation healthy recipes.

It’s important to do regular physical activity throughout your life. Physical activity can:

• lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Aim for about 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. This could be anything from walking to weight training.

You can join a walking group and learn more about the benefits of walking on the Heart Foundation website.

Talk to your doctor about which physical activities might benefit you. Learn more about exercise.

Heart health checks are an important way to check your risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Your doctor may:

• ask about your medical and family history
• ask about your diet, physical activity, weight, smoking and alcohol consumption
• do a blood pressure test
• do a cholesterol test
• do a blood sugar test.

They will use this information to assess your risk for stroke or heart attack.

Depending on your situation, they may suggest lifestyle changes or medicine, or both. They might also refer you to a cardiologist or other healthcare specialists, such as a dietitian or exercise physiologist.

The result of your heart health check will determine how often you might need checks in the future.

It’s important to understand key health measures, such as:

• your blood pressure
• blood sugar
• blood cholesterol results.

You can ask your doctor to check these measures regularly and discuss follow-up plans if needed.
Learn more about heart health checks.

Read the heart health checks brochure on the Heart Foundation website.