Women tend to think of heart disease as a ‘man’s disease’ but that is very far from being the reality.

Once a woman reaches the age of 50 her risk for heart disease increases dramatically as does that in younger women who have undergone early or surgical menopause.

Before the menopause, women in general have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But after the menopause you need to be aware of some of these clues that you might be at risk.

Snoring and sleep apnea

When your snoring is broken up by pauses in your breathing, your brain may not be getting enough oxygen. It will send signals to your blood vessels and heart to work harder to keep blood flow going.

This raises your risk for high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, strokes, and heart failure. If you are a serious snorer then it is worth having this checked as sleep apnea is treatable.

Yellow-Orange bumpy rash

Extremely high triglyceride levels can make your skin break out around the knuckles of your fingers and toes and on your bottom.

A lot of these fats in your blood may play a role in hardening your arteries, and high numbers are often related to other conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and strokes, too.

Poor grip strength

The strength of your hand may tell you something about the strength of your heart. Research suggests the ability to squeeze something well means a lower risk of heart disease.

If it’s hard for you to grasp an object, odds are higher that you have or could develop problems. But improving your grip strength alone won’t necessarily make your heart healthier.

Dark spot under nails

If you haven’t banged or hurt your finger or toe recently, little dots of blood trapped under your nail could point to an infection in the lining of your heart or valves, called endocarditis.

You can also get these blood specks when you have diabetes, and people with that condition are two to four times more likely to have heart disease and strokes.

Dizziness

Lightheadedness is often a direct result of something wrong with your heart because it isn’t pumping enough blood to your brain.

Dizziness could be a symptom of an abnormal rhythm, called an arrhythmia. Heart failure, meaning the weakening of the muscle, can also make you unsteady.

Feeling woozy is one of the many lesser-known symptoms of a heart attack, too.

Sexual problems

If you have been experiencing health issues such as high blood pressure or narrow arteries from cholesterol buildup these blood-flow problems can also lessen a woman’s libido and ability to enjoy sex.

If you have noticed changes in your libido it can be a sign of poor circulation so have your blood pressure checked to make sure it is still in the normal range.

Skin colour changes

A lacy, mottled, purple pattern shows up when bits of built-up cholesterol plaques break off, then get stuck in small blood vessels. You might get bloody splotches just under the skin on the inside of your hands and the soles of your feet when you have endocarditis.

Bleeding gums

Experts don’t totally understand the link between gum disease and heart disease, but studies suggest that bleeding, swollen, or tender gums may lead to trouble.

One theory is that bacteria from your gums gets into your bloodstream and sets off inflammation in your heart. Having gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss, may also raise your chances of a stroke.

Dark, velvety skin patches

You may find these thick spots, called acanthosis nigricans, in skin folds and creases such as your neck, armpits, and groin when your body has trouble using the hormone insulin.

Trouble breathing

Feeling short of breath can be a symptom of heart failure, an abnormal heart rhythm, or a heart attack.

Tell your doctor if you struggle to catch your breath after doing things that used to be easy for you, or if it’s hard to breathe while lying down.

If you are also having chest pain, then take immediate action and call 999 for an ambulance.

Swelling in lower legs

It happens when you stand or sit for a long time, and fluid build-up can also stem from heart failure and poor circulation in your legs.

Swollen legs could be from a clot that’s blocking the return of blood from your lower limbs to your heart. If this swelling comes on suddenly call your doctor or seek medical help right away.

Fatigue

Don’t always chalk up it up to poor sleep because heart failure can leave you tired and drained, as the muscle no longer pumps well enough to meet your body’s needs.

Watch for other symptoms, such as coughing and swelling, too, since feeling wiped out and weak can be a warning sign of many different conditions, including anaemia, cancer, or even depression.

Helpful information:

As women are more liable to be at risk from heart disease at menopause it is important to do the simple things that can help avoid it. A healthy diet, reasonable exercise and no smoking are key as is hormone balance.

If you are low in progesterone and high in oestrogen (oestrogen dominance) that can increase your risk. Progesterone is known to be protective of heart health and safe both as a preventive and if you already have heart disease.