Knowing the Difference Between Men and Women for Early Detection

Sahabat Hermina, heart disease is one of the main causes of death throughout the world, both in men and women. However, there are several important differences in the way heart disease affects the two genders, from risk factors, symptoms, to prognosis. Knowing these differences is critical for early detection and appropriate treatment. The following is a complete discussion of the differences between heart disease in men and women. 

1. Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Although common risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol play a role in both men and women, there are some important differences:

• Man: Men tend to have a higher risk of heart disease at a younger age compared to women. Factors such as smoking habits, stress and higher alcohol consumption in men also influence the higher risk of heart disease at a younger age.
• Women: The risk of heart disease in women increases after menopause, due to decreased levels of the hormone estrogen which functions to protect heart health. In addition, several women-specific health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy also contribute to increasing the risk of heart disease.

2. Symptoms of Heart Disease

Symptoms of heart disease can differ between men and women, which may result in delayed diagnosis in women:

• Man: Men tend to experience more typical symptoms, such as very pronounced chest pain, usually felt in the middle of the chest or on the left side of the chest and can radiate to the left arm. This symptom is more often recognized as a sign of a heart attack.
• Women: In women, symptoms are often milder and can include extreme fatigue, nausea, back pain, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw or neck. Because these symptoms are less typical and often not associated with heart disease, women often get the help they need too late.

3. Response to Treatment

Research suggests that men and women may respond to heart disease treatment differently:

• Man: Standard treatments such as aspirin, statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs), and beta-blockers are generally effective in men. Surgical procedures such as stenting and bypass often provide better results in men.
• Women: In women, standard treatments may not always produce the same results. Some studies suggest that women are more likely to experience complications after invasive procedures. Women also experience side effects from certain medications more often, requiring dose adjustments or different treatment strategies.

4. Prognosis

The prognosis or long-term outcome of heart disease also shows differences between men and women:

• Man: Men generally have better recovery rates after a heart attack, especially if they get prompt treatment. However, men are also more likely than women to experience another heart attack.
• Women: Women often have a worse prognosis after a heart attack, especially because difficult-to-recognize symptoms cause delays in getting treatment. In addition, women tend to be more susceptible to heart failure or other long-term complications after a heart attack.

So, recognizing the differences between heart disease in men and women is very important in helping doctors and medical personnel provide a more appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Public health education also needs to be improved so that women are more aware of symptoms that may not be typical but could potentially lead to heart disease. Stay healthy.

 

Reference

• American Heart Association. (2021). Differences in Heart Disease Between Men and Women. Diakses dari heart.org.
• World Health Organization. (2021). Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Accessed from who.int.
• Mieres, J. H., & Gulati, M. (2017). Women and Cardiovascular Disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.