Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both women and men. Although the incidence of heart disease has decreased approximately 38 percent overall since 1990, the incidence of heart attacks has increased in young people, particularly women. If you live in the Houston area and experience any of the symptoms discussed below, you should seek medical evaluation and treatment immediately. Going to a fast-response Sugar Land emergency clinic can make the difference between life and death.
Increasing Incidence of Heart Disease in Women
The medical community is concerned by the increase of heart attacks in women between the ages of 35 and 54. Although the primary cause is not well-understood, medical professionals note that a higher percentage have other health problems that increase the risk of heart disease.
Women with high blood pressure, obesity, kidney disease and diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Other factors affecting women’s health include poor health management, increased stress and lower rates of physical exercise.
Symptoms of Heart Disease for Women
Women experiencing heart attacks have symptoms that differ from men. Although women may experience chest pain, other symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Clamminess
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the neck, jaw, arms or back
If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately seek Sugar Land emergency care.
Treating Heart Disease in Women
Studies show that women with heart problems are often not given the same care and management that men get. Men often receive aggressive treatment for heart attacks, such as bypass surgery and catheterization. Doctors often attribute the symptoms women experience to conditions such as anxiety, acid reflux or menopause. Women are less likely to undergo invasive procedures such as stents or angioplasty. Often, by the time women seek care, extensive heart damage has already occurred. Researchers urge that more women be included in clinical trials and studies about heart attack causes and symptoms to better understand how to diagnose and treat heart disease in women.
St. Michael’s Sugar Land Emergency Rooms treats health conditions from heart attacks to allergic reactions. Our board-certified doctors are available 24 hours a day. Physicians usually see patients within five minutes of arrival to our Sugar Land emergency clinic. Our facilities are equipped with advanced technology to evaluate a patient’s condition and initiate treatment. If you think you are having a heart attack, we perform several tests for diagnosis and assess damage to the heart. After a patient is stabilized, we evaluate the need for hospitalization and transfer patients from our Sugar Land emergency clinic to an appropriate facility.
You can preregister online at St. Michael’s Emergency Rooms to make sure pertinent data is already on file if you need Sugar Land emergency care services. For more information, please contact us at 281.980.4357.
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