Heart disease is a general term that describes a variety of heart ailments, the most common of which is coronary heart disease. Other types of heart disease include cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and stroke.
While most heart-related problems are preventable and/or treatable, heart disease is unfortunately the No. 1 killer of men and women worldwide and in the United States. It is responsible for 40 percent of all the deaths in the United States, more than all forms of cancer combined.
The most common misconception about women and heart disease is that women are at less risk for heart disease than men. The reality is that heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women— nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. In addition, when women get heart disease it often acts quite differently than it does in men, so it is important that women understand the differences in risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.,
To learn the differences, talk with your doctor and read more at the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” website and at WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.
There are two types of risk factors for heart disease: risks that are beyond your control and risks that you can do something about. The risks that you can’t control are family history, race/ethnicity and age. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to take action on the six major causes of heart disease:
Nine out of 10 heart disease patients have at least one risk factor—this means that even just one risk factor will raise your chances of having heart-related problems, and the more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop cardiovascular diseases.
If you are at risk for heart disease or have been diagnosed with heart disease, there are lots of simple ways to protect your heart through healthy lifestyle choices and diet and exercise. The following are recommendations for preventing heart disease from the American Heart Association:
In addition, the key to early detection is to get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels screened regularly. Recommendations on frequency vary based on your age and risk factors. Ask your doctor or go to http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3046593 to see what is right for you.
CVMC has many resources available to help you understand your specific risk factors, symptoms and treatment options, as well as help living a healthier lifestyle.
American Heart Association
American Heart Association – Go Red for Women
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
Resources at CVMC
Online Resources