2. Sleep Disturbances – A Silent Indicator
Sleep disturbances, another potential sign of heart disease in women, often come cloaked under the guise of other common issues such as stress or age. But when the quality of sleep suddenly changes, it could be due to a brewing heart problem. These disturbances could manifest as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, frequently waking up in the night, or feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep.
A key point to understand about sleep disturbances is that they are often connected with other symptoms. For instance, women with heart disease may wake up in the night feeling short of breath, a symptom we will explore later in this list. They might also experience night sweats or even have to get up multiple times to urinate.
Sleep disturbances can also exacerbate other heart disease symptoms. Poor sleep quality can contribute to fatigue during the day, add to mental stress, and even affect the heart rhythm. A good night’s sleep is essential for heart health, as it is when our bodies repair heart and blood vessels.
Understanding the link between your sleep pattern and heart health could be crucial to early detection and prevention of heart disease. If you find yourself wrestling with sudden changes in your sleep quality and patterns, it might be a wise idea to discuss these symptoms with your healthcare provider. (2)
