World Heart Day: How do I know if I have a heart attack?

Published on 04/30/2024 18:33

Until recently, medicine was not really interested in female heart attack. And yet, she is the leading cause of death for women in France! Dr. Fabien Guez, a cardiologist, helps us identify his symptoms.

This is the leading cause of death among women in France .

Worse, "55% of French people who die of a cardiovascular disease are women," says Fabien Guez, cardiologist and author of "How to (do not) have a heart attack" *, a book playful and offbeat "that includes all ingredients needed for a successful heart attack "...

And compared to the male, we are also the ones who suffer the most since "women die more during a first heart attack (50% against 30% for men)," he says. Blame our coronaries (arteries surrounding the heart), much thinner and therefore faster to clog.

So, what are the symptoms that should alarm us?

The warning signs of a heart attack in women

Several symptoms must be taken into account:

Sudden tiredness
Abdominal pain.
Chest pains, palpitations and shortness of breath.
Wrist pain.
Dizziness, nausea.

"All these symptoms, if they are felt with the effort or if there are risk factors (see below), must worry you and push you to consult a cardiologist to make a check-up", alert the cardiologist .

Especially when these signals are unusual: "If you are used to running and suddenly you have nausea or headache for example, do not neglect them."

Risk factors to watch out for

Hypertension, overweight, diabetes, tobacco, hormonal contraception, hypercholesterolemia, sedentary lifestyle, cardiac inheritance are all factors that can promote a heart attack in women.

"The tragedy is the cigarette, especially among young women who take the pill.Many of them have cardiovascular problems earlier and earlier.The other concern is also the high consumption of alcohol ", explains the doctor.

Indeed "the association tobacco-pollution multiplies up to 5 times the cardiac risk" , can be read in the book of our expert.

The importance of prevention

"The idea is to prevent by adopting a healthy lifestyle." We must eat balanced and move, but do not forget to have fun also from time to time.One of the best drugs? advises Dr. Guez.

So not to have a heart attack, we start by throwing a pack of cigarettes, we put on a pair of sneakers and we go "soft" on the combo rosé-chips-charcuterie as an aperitif. It's already a good start.

"How (not) to have a heart attack", Fabien Guez, Ed. Hugo & Doc, € 12.50