An estimated 515,000 women will have a new or recurrent myocardial infarction and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVDs) this year (2010). In 2006, 432,709 females died from all CVDs combined. The statistic represents 52.1% of female\u2019s deaths for that year (35.3% white females; 35.9% black females). Notably, 64% of women who died suddenly from CVD did not have previous symptoms. [1]<\/p>\n
CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessel. The most common reason for heart attacks and strokes, which are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain, is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. [2]<\/p>\n
Top Health Risks for Women<\/p>\n
Heart disease ranks as the number one health risk for women.
\n1. Heart disease
\n2. Cancer
\n3. Stroke
\n4. COPD
\n5. Alzheimer\u2019s disease
\n6. Injuries
\n7. Type 2 diabetes
\n8. Flu
\n9. Kidney disease
\n10. Blood poisoning<\/p>\n
Symptoms in Women<\/p>\n
The most common heart attack symptom for women is pain or discomfort in the chest. However, women can also have a heart attack without having any chest pain. Other symptoms women might experience include[3]:
\n\u2022 Feeling out of breath
\n\u2022 Pain that runs along the neck, jaw, or upper back
\n\u2022 Nausea, vomiting or indigestion
\n\u2022 Unexplained sweating
\n\u2022 Sudden or overwhelming fatigue
\n\u2022 Dizziness
\nRisk Factors<\/p>\n
The prevention of CVD starts with controlling risk factors for the disease. Although some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as family history of CVD or stroke; age 55 or older and being post-menopausal or having your ovaries removed, there are risk factors that we can control.
\nControllable risk factors:
\n\u2022 Obesity
\n\u2022 Sedentary lifestyle
\n\u2022 Smoking
\n\u2022 Hypertension
\n\u2022 High total cholesterol, and\/or reduced HDL cholesterol
\n\u2022 Diabetes
\n\u2022 Metabolic syndrome
\n\u2022 Increased C-reactive protein (CRP)
\n\u2022 Use of birth control pills, especially if also a smoker
\n\u2022 Complicated pregnancy (hypertension, diabetes, low birth weight)<\/p>\n
Preventing Cardiovascular Heart Disease<\/p>\n
There are many strategies that allow you to reduce your risk of or prevent heart disease. Although some risk factors, such as family history and age cannot be controlled, you have many options to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Here are some things you can control:
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t smoke or use any tobacco products
\no This is especially important for women because smoking not only affects your heart but negatively impacts your ability to become pregnant, increases your risk for oral and lung cancer and ages your skin. In addition, women who smoke and use birth control increase their risk of a heart attack.
\n\u2022 Get exercise
\no Physical activity helps you control your weight and reduces stress on the heart and other medical conditions.
\n\u2022 Eat a heart healthy diet
\no A well-balanced diet consisting of healthy fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated), fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limiting alcohol consumption.
\n\u2022 Maintain a healthy weight
\no The majority of adults gain fat-not muscle-when the scale starts to creep up. Studies show that carrying excess fat in the mid-section is a risk factor for heart disease as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet will help you keep the scale in check.
\n\u2022 Get regular health screenings
\no High blood pressure and cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels; regular screenings by a health professional will keep you informed and ready to take action to keep your heart healthy<\/p>\n
Clinical Pearls<\/p>\n
In summary, maintaining a healthy heart results in a better quality of life. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your better health:
\n\u2022 Be aware of chest pain and other symptoms
\n\u2022 Know your family\u2019s medical history and tell your clinician
\n\u2022 Maintain a healthy weight with regular diet and exercise
\n\u2022 Eliminate and\/or reduce negative impact of risk factors, for example don\u2019t smoke or quit smoking; control your blood pressure
\n\u2022 Remain educated about your body and health needs- start with the resources below!<\/p>\n
Educational Resources
\nAmerican Heart Association
\nhttp:\/\/www.americanheart.org
\nWomen’s Heart Foundation
\nhttp:\/\/www.womensheartfoundation.org\/
\nNational Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
\nhttp:\/\/www.womenheart.org
\nHeart Truth
\nhttp:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/hearttruth\/
\nNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
\nhttp:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov<\/p>\n
– Elizabeth Samander, PhD<\/p>\n
References An estimated 515,000 women will have a new or recurrent myocardial infarction and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVDs) this year (2010). In 2006, 432,709 females died from all CVDs combined. The statistic represents 52.1% of female\u2019s deaths for that year (35.3% white females; 35.9% black females). Notably, 64% of women who died suddenly from CVD did […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[39,38,40,25],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=212"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":236,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212\/revisions\/236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fultonsfitness.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/em>1. American Heart Organization. http:\/\/www.americanheart.org\/downloadable\/heart\/1260905040318FS10WM10.pdf. Accessed June 18, 2010.
\n2. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular Diseases. http:\/\/www.who.int\/mediacentre\/factsheets\/fs317\/en\/index.html. Accessed June 18, 2010.
\n3. FamilyDoctor.org. http:\/\/familydoctor.org\/online\/famdocen\/home\/common\/heartdisease\/risk\/287.printerview.html. Accessed June 18, 2010.
\n4. May Clinic. http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.com\/health\/womens-health\/WO00014\/NSECTIONGROUP=2. Accessed June 18, 2010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"