Knowing your risk of these conditions is the first step toward helping prevent them.
Some health conditions affect men and women equally. Heart disease and cancer, for example, are top causes of death for both men and women. But women are more likely to be affected by certain other diseases. Why?
It can often be traced back to sex hormones such as estrogen, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, a diabetes and obesity expert.
Here’s a look at some of the conditions women are at higher risk of developing. Plus, what you can do to help prevent them.
Women are more likely than men to die after a heart attack. Some doctors still miss signs of a heart attack in women, Dr. Hatipoglu notes. Another reason: “Women don’t go to the emergency room as fast as men,” she says. This causes delays in care.
That may be in part because women’s heart attack symptoms aren’t always the “classic” signs that are seen in men. Plus, women’s symptoms can come and go. They can come on more slowly. As a result, it can take longer to realize it’s something more serious than, say, indigestion.
What to do: If you have any risk factors for heart disease, get treated for them. That includes things like:
Did you have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy? Make sure that you have a care plan in place after delivery. “These conditions can linger and put women at high risk of a heart attack or stroke later on in life,” says Dr. Hatipoglu.
Know the symptoms of a heart attack. They may look different in women than in men. The most common sign is chest pain. But women are more likely to also have:
If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait to call 911.
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Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have a thyroid problem. The thyroid is a gland in your neck. It makes thyroid hormone. This hormone controls many functions in your body, such as:
Problems can happen when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism).
It’s not clear why women are more likely to have thyroid problems. Estrogen may play a role. Thyroid issues can happen at any age. But they’re more likely to start right after you give birth or go through menopause.
What to do: Know the symptoms of thyroid disease. The main sign of hypothyroidism is feeling tired. Other symptoms include:
Signs of hyperthyroidism include:
Your doctor can diagnose thyroid disease through blood tests. If your tests are normal, Dr. Hatipoglu recommends getting screened for other autoimmune diseases. Some that are common in women include:
These all may cause similar symptoms to thyroid problems.
You can use your Blue KC Care Management app to chat with registered nurses, social workers, and community health workers,† learn what to expect throughout your pregnancy, and search our resource library. Download it today to get started.
About 80% of people who have osteoporosis are women. It’s a health problem that causes your bones to weaken.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with this condition because they have smaller, thinner, less dense bones than men. Hormonal changes during menopause also lead to a loss of bone density.
What to do: Osteoporosis usually doesn’t have symptoms, especially in its early stages. So it’s important to stay up-to-date on screenings.
The general recommendation is to get a bone mineral density test if you’re 65 or older. You may want to get one as early as age 50 if you have risk factors. These include:
Here’s how you can lower your risk of osteoporosis:
One in eight women go through depression in their lifetime. That’s twice as many as men. This is probably due to shifts in hormones (especially around your period, pregnancy, and perimenopause), as well as genetics.
Women are also more likely to have stress. And that can also lead to depression.
What to do: You don’t want to ignore depression. It’s been linked to other health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks:
Your doctor can refer you to a mental healthcare provider for talk therapy. They can also prescribe medicines, such as antidepressants.
Remember: As a woman, you may have a higher chance of getting these conditions. But that doesn’t mean you will get them. Knowing your risks can inspire you to take steps to lower them. And to get treatment right away if needed.
Article sources:
Statistic on fatal heart attacks: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Heart attack symptoms: American Heart Association
Thyroid disease background: Mayo Clinic; Office on Women’s Health
Osteoporosis facts: Office on Women’s Health
Depression and anxiety statistic: Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Depression background: Office on Women’s Health
