Why Younger Women Are Having Heart Attacks and Tips to Prevent Them

About 800,000 Americans have a heart attack each year—and younger women account for nearly one-third of them, according to a recent study. Dr. Patrick Bering discusses what’s causing this rise in heart attacks.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine.

Host: We’re speaking with Dr. Patrick Bering, a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Bering.

Dr. Bering: Thank you so much for having me. It’s a pleasure.

Host: According to a 2018 study, younger women are having more heart attacks. In fact, they’re accounting for nearly one third of all female heart attacks in recent years. Today we’re going to discuss why this is, and ways women can prevent heart attacks. Dr. Bering, could you begin by explaining why we’re seeing this rise in heart attacks among young women?

Dr. Bering: Absolutely. This is definitely an alarming trend that’s seen nationwide. One of the reasons why we think we’re seeing more young women hospitalized with heart attacks is that there has been an increase in the cardiovascular risk factors among young adult women. Among these would be things like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking and poor lifestyle, including poor diet and low physical activity levels.

Host: And is this something you’re seeing only in young women or young men as well?

Dr. Bering: We see premature heart disease both in young men and young women. Unfortunately, we have been seeing a trend for increased hospitalizations for heart attacks in young women more so than young men. There may be some additional risk factors that young women have. And, when I say young women, I mean women and young adults, so between the ages of 35 and 55. And these can include women who have conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature menopause or a history of preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Host: Are there certain demographics of young women that you’re seeing more than others?

Dr. Bering: That’s an interesting question and one that we’re still gathering information about. It seems to be important where you live from a socioeconomic perspective. In that way, your neighborhood may actually be a risk factor, positive or negative, for your development of heart disease. We do see a high amount of premature heart disease in African American women, which is a concern for us and we aim to combat this from many different facets, aiming at preventing the risk factors for heart disease. Or, if they develop, to try to optimize them to prevent any long-term consequences to cardiovascular health.

Host: Are there symptoms or warning signs of heart attacks that people should be aware of?

Dr. Bering: Definitely. You hear about classic symptoms which include pressure on the chest or some people describe it as an elephant sitting on the chest. These classic symptoms are more common in men. Unfortunately for women, the symptoms may be more atypical. They can include things like heartburn, fatigue, shortness of breath, low energy, acid reflux, nausea. Because women have more atypical symptoms of heart disease, they may be less likely to seek medical attention at the time that they’re experiencing something like a heart attack.

Host: Could you expand on some of the symptoms young women may have?

Dr. Bering: Certainly. As I said, this can be confusing, even for the healthcare community, at times. Since young women or even women post-menopause are more likely to have atypical symptoms