{"id":5172,"date":"2012-02-09T08:36:17","date_gmt":"2012-02-09T13:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=5172"},"modified":"2012-02-09T08:36:17","modified_gmt":"2012-02-09T13:36:17","slug":"what-every-woman-should-know-about-heart-rhythm-disorders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2012\/02\/09\/what-every-woman-should-know-about-heart-rhythm-disorders\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Rhythm Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It is a truism that the heart of a woman is unique – including how it beats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many cardiac differences between men and women,\u201d says Andrea M. Russo, M.D.<\/a>, Director of the Cooper Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Program. \u201cWomen usually have a faster resting heart rate than men, they have smaller heart vessels, and there are even differences in the electrical activity in the heart,\u201d says Dr. \u00a0Russo.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, these differences were unknown and unexplored for many years, as traditionally clinical trials for new medications and implantable devices were conducted predominantly on men.<\/p>\n

To address this disparity, Dr. Russo has researched and published extensively on gender differences in cardiac arrhythmias. In addition to variances in response to treatments, Dr. Russo noted a discrepancy in the proportion of symptomatic males and females who are referred by physicians for cardiac evaluation and treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cFemales are less likely to have implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) implanted than men and are also underrepresented in referrals for other arrhythmia treatment, specifically catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. While women represent over half of all individuals who have atrial fibrillation in the United States, only 23 percent of atrial fibrillation ablation procedures are performed in women,\u201d says Dr. Russo.<\/p>\n

While many arrhythmias can exist without signs or symptoms, the most common symptoms in women are palpitations (feeling that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or fast), an irregular heartbeat or feeling pauses between heartbeats.<\/p>\n

Of more concern are arrhythmias that occur in conjunction with other symptoms such as : weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or nearly fainting, sweating, shortness of breath, or chest pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen and men may present with similar symptoms,\u201d Dr. Russo said, \u201cbut in women, some symptoms, such as palpitations, may be taken less seriously. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless of gender, Dr. Russo advises anyone with recurring heart rhythm issues to:<\/p>\n