Heart health

Having a healthy heart is important for keeping your whole body working well.

Your heart, veins and arteries (cardiovascular system) take oxygen and nutrients around your body. If your heart isn't working, the rest of your body can't work either.

Cardiovascular disease (including heart attacks and strokes) is one of the main causes of death for women in Australia. Because it's often thought of as a men's issue, women are more likely to ignore symptoms and take longer to get help. It's also often missed during health checks and not treated.

It's important to:

• know the signs and symptoms for heart attack in women
• get help as soon as you notice unusual symptoms
• understand your risk factors
• keep your heart healthy
• get regular heart checks.

You should also learn the signs of a stroke on the Stroke Foundation website.

Heart attack symptoms in women

• Chest pain (often described as heavy, pressure, or tightness)
• Pain in your arm, neck, jaw, shoulders or back
• Finding it hard to breathe
• Dizziness
• Being or feeling sick
• Cold sweats
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Extreme tiredness

Chest pain can be less noticeable in women than men. It might feel like pressure or tightness rather than severe pain. It's more common for women to have a wider range of symptoms when they have a heart attack. They're more likely to have neck, jaw, back or shoulder pain along with other symptoms.

Tell someone if you're having any of these symptoms. If they're severe, getting worse, or last longer than 10 minutes, get help straight away.

Learn more about heart attack warning signs on the Heart Foundation website.

Heart health risks

There are things that make problems with your heart and blood system more common. Some of them you can't control, like your age, gender, family history, ethnic background and health conditions. For some risks you can take medicine or make lifestyle changes that will make problems less likely.

It's important to know what your risks are and make changes if you need to.

Read more about common risk factors on the Heart Foundation website.

Health factors

You're more likely to have heart problems if you have:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• gynaecological conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• autoimmune disorders, like arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS)
• chronic inflammatory conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and kidney failure.

Talk to your GP about how to manage the risk to your heart if you're living with these conditions. They might suggest lifestyle changes or medicines that you can take.

You might also be at a higher risk if you're taking certain medicines. That includes the combined contraceptive pill, oestrogen therapy for transwomen and some prescription drugs. Your GP will talk to you about the benefits and risks.

Lifestyle factors

You're more likely to have heart problems if you:

• smoke or vape
• are overweight
• aren't very active
• drink alcohol
• eat a lot of sugary, fatty or processed foods.

All of these things can be improved or reversed by making changes to your lifestyle. Read more about keeping your heart healthy.

Menopause

You're more likely to have heart problems after menopause because your oestrogen levels drop. The risk is even higher if you have early menopause.

Oestrogen helps keep your veins and arteries healthy and control your cholesterol levels. When you have less oestrogen, you're likely to have more fat in your arteries, which can cause a heart attack.

Menopause also changes your body, making it more likely to develop other risk factors. That includes things like high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and putting on weight.

There's some evidence that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) helps reduce the risk to your heart. Ask your GP if MHT is right for you.

Read more about menopause and heart health on the Jean Hailes website.

Pregnancy

Some health conditions during pregnancy can put you at higher risk for heart problems as you get older.

They include things like:

• high blood pressure
• pre-eclampsia
• gestational diabetes.

If you had any of these conditions while you were pregnant, your GP will recommend regular heart checks.

You can keep your heart healthy during pregnancy by staying active and eating well. Follow our tips for staying healthy during pregnancy.

Read more about heart health and pregnancy on the Heart Foundation website.

Mental health

Having a mental health condition like depression or anxiety can increase your risk of heart problems. Other factors like stress and loneliness can increase your risk as well.

Improving your mental wellbeing will have benefits for your heart health. Talk to your GP about where to get help or use the Beyond Blue website to find support in your area.

Read more about mental health and heart disease on the Heart Foundation website.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Heart disease can happen 10 to 20 years earlier in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

It's important to:

• know your risks
• get regular checks with your GP or community health service.

Learn more about risk factors and how to keep your heart strong on the Heart Foundation website.

You can find more heart health information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the St. Vincent Hospital Heart Health website.

Keeping your heart healthy

The best way to keep your heart healthy is to stop smoking, stay active and eat healthy.

Aim to:

• eat a wide range of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains
• eat healthy proteins, like fish, eggs, and lean meat
• reduce the amount of salt and sugar you eat
• drink plenty of water
• do at least 30 minutes of activity at least 5 times a week
• cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink.

You can find a range of resources to help you quit smoking on the Quitline website.

The Heart Foundation website has:

• a video on ways to keep your heart healthy
• a range of healthy heart recipes
• information on physical activity for a healthy heart.