Taking Care of Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Should Know
The Unique Story of Women's Heart Health
Heart disease affects women differently than men, and many people aren’t aware of these differences.
Different Signs, Same Danger.
Women can often experience more subtle heart attack symptoms, like nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, and back or jaw pain, rather than the classic chest pain men often report.
The Risk of Being Overlooked.
Women’s heart disease is often missed or diagnosed later because symptoms can be less obvious and present differently than in men.
The Role Estrogen Plays.
Estrogen helps protect heart health, which is a reason why heart disease risk increases after menopause.
Higher Risk Factors
Women with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or migraines with aura have a greater stroke risk than men with similar conditions.
Because of these differences, it's important for women to know the signs, monitor their heart health, and advocate for themselves.
The Silent Risks of Heart Disease in Women
Your health story is personal—and so are your risks.
Hormonal shifts. Menopause brings significant changes, including increased cholesterol and blood pressure, which raise heart disease risks.
Past pregnancy complications. Conditions like pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes double your risk of heart disease later in life.
Stress and depression. Emotional health hits harder for women and can increase the strain on your heart.
Women often experience symptoms differently and, too often, their concerns are dismissed or misdiagnosed—especially when it comes to heart health.
At Herself Health, we don’t just listen; we take the time to understand your health in the context of your life. If something doesn’t feel right, we’ll work with you to uncover the root cause.
Statins – Myths vs. Facts
Statins are medicines that help protect your heart. Sometimes people hear things about them that are not true. Here is what the evidence really shows.
Statins and Diabetes
Myth: Statins cause diabetes out of nowhere.
Fact: Statins may slightly raise blood sugar, but they do not cause diabetes in people without risk factors. For those with prediabetes, it might show up sooner but not create a new disease. Heart benefits are bigger than this effect.
Liver Safety
Myth: Statins damage the liver.
Fact: Serious liver problems are very rare. Mild enzyme changes can happen, but real liver damage is uncommon. Your provider will monitor your liver to keep you safe.
Prescription Use
Myth: Statins are overprescribed.
Fact: Many people who could benefit from statins are not taking them. Using statins when needed can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Heart Protection
Myth: Statins do not prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Fact: Large studies show statins lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death for people at higher risk.
Side Effects
Myth: Most patients cannot tolerate statins.
Fact: True intolerance affects less than 9 percent of users. Many side effects are caused by worry and not the medicine itself. This is called the nocebo effect.
Lifestyle and Medicine
Myth: Lifestyle changes alone are enough.
Fact: Healthy habits help, but people at higher risk still benefit from statins. They provide extra protection for the heart.
Beyond Cholesterol
Myth: Statins only lower cholesterol and do not improve heart health.
Fact: Statins lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation, stabilize plaque, and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Memory and Brain Health
Myth: Statins cause memory loss or dementia.
Fact: Studies show statins do not harm memory or cause dementia. Some studies even suggest they may protect the brain.
How to protect your heart
Know Your Numbers
Blood Pressure
Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
LDL Cholesterol
Keeping it under 100 mg/dL helps prevent plaque buildup in your arteries and lowers your risk of heart disease.
Blood Sugar
A fasting glucose level below 100 mg/dL helps maintain heart health and reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Build Heart-Healthy Habits
Eat for Your Heart
Include salmon, avocados, leafy greens, and nuts to support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure
Stay Active
Walking, yoga, and dancing keep your heart strong and improve circulation
Stress Less
Mindfulness exercises and deep breathing can lower blood pressure and protect your heart
Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Your heart works hard for you, give it the care it deserves. Staying on top of your health with regular check-ups, monitoring key numbers, and managing your care can help keep your heart strong and your body thriving.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work overtime, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Keeping it below 120/80 mmHg helps protect your heart, arteries, and overall well-being.
Stay on Top of Blood Work. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels can impact your heart health long before you feel symptoms. Routine labs help catch potential issues early, allowing you and your provider to take action before they become serious problems.
Manage Diabetes with Confidence. Diabetes impacts more than blood sugar; it can damage blood vessels, raise cholesterol, and increase blood pressure, making it harder for the heart to do its job. Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range helps protect your heart and reduces the risk of stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Your provider is here to guide you, track your progress, and adjust your care plan as needed. Taking small steps today leads to a healthier heart for years to come!
Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Staying on top of your health with regular check-ups, monitoring key numbers, and managing your care can help keep your heart strong and your body thriving.