MercyOne Experts Share Differences in Heart Disease for Women

According to the American Heart Association, more than one in three women is living with some form of cardiovascular disease. For women, heart disease is deadlier than most cancers combined! Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year.

As the region’s only comprehensive heart care program, heart disease is top of mind at MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center. “Heart disease is the number one cause of death in both men and women in the U.S. but women often experience more atypical symptoms,” said Kayla Folsom, ARNP. “Women often think those symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue are just because of the flu or acid reflux, but there can really be something more serious going on such as a heart attack.”

While traditional risk factors for heart disease affect both men and women, there are other factors that can play a role in the development of disease in women. Heart disease risks include:

• Family history of early heart disease

• After menopause, estrogen production decreases and can lead to significant risk

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• High Blood pressure

“Women experiencing heart disease has a lot to do with their lifestyle,” said Folsom. “Your lifestyle in your 20s may not seem like a big deal, but it catches up once you turn 30 and develop high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and other risk factors.”

MercyOne experts have compiled heart-healthy lifestyle changes you can make on our website. If you don’t have a regular doctor, you can establish a lifelong relationship with a MercyOne provider.