September 29 is World Heart Day, observed every year to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of prevention and timely diagnosis. Doctors say women are also exposed to various risk factors for heart disease. Factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, genetic factors and some hormonal changes can increase the risk of heart disease.
Jalil Ahmad Obaidi, a cardiologist, says high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity can cause the arteries supplying blood to the heart to become blocked, reducing or stopping blood flow to the heart muscle. In some cases, this can damage the heart muscle and lead to a heart attack.
“High blood pressure, diabetes or high blood sugar, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, genetic or hereditary factors, and hormonal changes that occur in women after menopause can be risk factors. These problems can also occur in certain situations, such as during pregnancy or after childbirth. If high blood pressure develops after the 20th week of pregnancy in a woman who has no previous history of high blood pressure, it may be related to the pregnancy. Sometimes pregnancy itself or these hormonal changes can affect the heart and weaken the heart muscle, which can lead to more serious problems for the woman,” he explains.
The experiences of some women show that the symptoms of heart disease do not always appear as severe or clear chest pain. They can sometimes be mistaken for problems such as stomach pain, fatigue or weakness.
Rakiya, a 67-year-old woman from Laghman, says she learned that the arteries in her heart were blocked after visiting a doctor and undergoing medical tests. She says that before her diagnosis, she did not think her pain was related to her heart.
“My chest was burning, and I thought it was stomach pain. The problem with my heart was that the arteries were blocked. My blood pressure was high, and I also had some pain on my left side. I did not think it was my heart; I thought it was coming from my stomach,” she says.
Sadaf, another 30-year-old woman from Herat, says she first experienced heart palpitations, fatigue and weakness, and sometimes had shortness of breath. At first, she thought these symptoms were caused by her daily tiredness.
“The first symptom I noticed was heart palpitations. I felt tired, weak and exhausted, and sometimes I had shortness of breath. At first, I did not think it could be related to my heart. I thought it might be because of my daily tiredness. The change this heart disease brought to my life was that I started paying more attention to my health. Before, I never thought I would have such a disease. After developing heart disease, I paid more attention to my body and started to value my health more. I also tried to get enough rest and avoid activities that made me too tired,” she adds.
Niyayesh, from Kandahar, says her heart disease was diagnosed after she developed swelling in her legs and throughout her body. After visiting a doctor, she received medical treatment, but according to her, she can no longer perform daily tasks or do physical activities as she did before.
“It has been two months since I developed a heart problem. After I went to the doctor and was diagnosed, I was told that my heart had become swollen. The doctor told me not to stay on my feet for too long or do heavy physical work. He also told me not to walk too much because my heart could not handle too much pressure. If I stand, I cannot sit down, and if I sit, I cannot stand up. I even pray while sitting. I mostly eat bread and drink water, and I have no appetite,” she says.
Doctors say paying attention to heart health is very important for women at different stages of life, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Khalid Rashed, a specialist in cardiac surgery, says pregnant women should regularly visit obstetricians and gynecologists during pregnancy so that risk factors can be identified and controlled in time. He also emphasizes the importance of controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, maintaining an appropriate weight, staying physically active and following a healthy diet. He explains,
“During pregnancy, women should regularly visit obstetricians and gynecologists. Women who have been diagnosed with heart disease should take their prescribed medicines according to their doctor’s instructions. They should walk for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. They should also be careful about their diet. They should avoid fast food and instead eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables. They should eat protein-rich foods such as milk, eggs and meat. They should avoid fatty foods, sugary foods, chocolate, cakes and cookies. They should also carefully control their blood pressure and avoid gaining too much weight. They should maintain an appropriate weight.”
Meanwhile, Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, says the ministry is making efforts to expand health services and raise public awareness about diseases, and measures are also being taken in the cardiac services section.
“Efforts are also underway to prevent diseases. We have conducted public awareness campaigns about contagious diseases. We have also held some conferences, and we continue to work on treatment services. As for cardiac services, a new section for children has been opened in Kabul where open-heart surgeries are performed. In addition, work is underway at Ibn-e Sina Hospital to develop and expand its services. In the provinces, we also provide internal medicine and ICU services. Overall, work is ongoing in this area,” he adds.
It is worth mentioning that heart disease is not limited to a particular age group or gender. However, doctors emphasize that women should take the risk factors and symptoms of heart disease seriously.
World Heart Day is an opportunity to remember that preventing heart disease should not be limited to the time when symptoms appear. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, maintaining an appropriate weight, and seeking timely medical care can be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and helping with early diagnosis.
Reporter: Noda Zarafshan
