• Over half a million women die of cardiovascular diseases every year.
• One half of all fatal heart attacks are sustained by women.
• Since 1984, the number of women who die of heart disease has been higher than men.

Risk factors are habits or conditions that increase the chance of developing a disease. Many of the risk factors for heart disease are controllable. Women should talk with their health care provider about their individual risks and how to lower them.

Risk factors for heart disease are:

• Smoking
• High blood cholesterol
• Overweight/obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Family history of early coronary disease
• Age (55 and older for women)

At menopause, a woman’s heart disease risk begins to rise significantly. Heart disease rates are 2-3 times higher for postmenopausal women than for those who have not undergone menopause.

Heart attack symptoms in women may differ from the symptoms commonly seen in men. By learning to recognize the symptoms, women can become more active in managing their health outcomes and live longer lives. According to a number of physicians, women are more likely to have the following symptoms:

• Discomfort above the waist that is brought on by exertion (including back, shoulders, arms, or jaw).
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shortness of Breath
• Indigestion
• Extreme Fatigue

If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, Do Not Wait, call 911 immediately. Symptoms of a heart attack require immediate action. This will reduce your chances of experiencing irreversible heart muscle damage or even death.

Cardiovascular health is largely affected by lifestyle choices. What can you do to reduce your risk?

If you smoke-get help to stop.

• Smoking is the biggest contributor to heart disease.
• A smoker who quits will return to the risk level of a non smoker within 2 years.

Monitor blood pressure

• The goal should be less than 120/80.

Monitor blood sugar

• Heart disease is the most common cause of death in diabetics.

Achieve optimal cholesterol

• Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl
• HDL, “healthy” cholesterol 50mg/dl or hig
her
• LDL, “bad” cholesterol less than 100mg/dl
• Triglycerides less than 150mg/dl

Decrease stress

• Look for stress management techniques or other forms of relaxation to diffuse stress.

Maintain a healthy weight

• A reduced calorie diet combined with increased physical activity can produce weight loss and decreases abdominal fat.

Increase activity

• The heart is like any other muscle, it needs exercise to stay strong and healthy.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.
• Consult your physician before starting to exercise.

Choose a heart healthy diet

• Your choice of food can affect blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and weight.
• Eat fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, fish, lean protein, low or fat-free dairy, and high- fiber foods.

Limit Alcohol

• More than one alcoholic beverage per day in women can lead to increased blood pressure, high triglycerides, and obesity.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Until recently, many postmenopausal women were prescribed menopausal hormone therapy to help prevent heart disease. Menopausal hormone therapy can involve the use of estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone. Research now shows that estrogen plus progestin therapy increases the chances of developing heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Research on estrogen-alone therapy shows it increases the risk for stroke and blood clots but has no effect on heart disease and colorectal cancer, and an uncertain effect on breast cancer.

If you are taking, or considering estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone to relieve menopausal symptoms, consult with your doctor about whether you should start or continue the treatment. If you decide to go ahead with it, use the lowest dose for as brief of a period as possible.

Fortunately, most heart disease in women is preventable. We can help you take control of your heart health through our Healthy Hearts for Women program, a cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention program for women. Please call us at (937) 395-8092 for more information.