What you should know about Women and Heart Disease?

What do you think is the leading cause of death in ALL women in the World? Well according to a report by the World Health Organization; “Globally, cardiovascular disease (mainly heart attacks/ischemic heart disease and stroke), often thought to be a “male” problem, is the main killer of older women. Women often show different symptoms from men, which contributes to under diagnosis of heart disease in women. Women also tend to develop heart disease later in life than men.”

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control also reports that the leading cause of death in ALL women is heart disease at 24.5%. Here are the stats broken down by the number one killer of each particular race or ethnic group obtained from the CDC; Black Women ranked #1 at 24.9%, White Women ranked #1 at 24.6%, Asians or Pacific Islanders ranked #2 at 22.3%, Hispanic women ranked #2 at 21.6%,  and Native American or Alaska Native ranked #2 at 17.1%.

What are the symptoms of heart disease? Not all women will share the same symptoms. Less than 30% of women reported having some sort of chest pain and 43% reported having no chest pain at all in reports in the National Institutes of Health. But some signs to look for are nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.

What are some prevention methods? Getting your yearly physical exam is essential in monitoring your health. Physicians may detect changes in your health by checking your cholesterol levels, blood pressure weight changes, diet and other issues of concerns. Lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition and changing the foods you eat is another crucial factor for prevention. Fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables as well as exercise can lower your chances of getting heart disease. Drop bad habits such as smoking. Begin walking and create an exercise routine. Always consult with your health professional first before beginning any exercise regimen.

Your family’s medical history, are factors which are unchangeable and can be inherited, therefore frequent monitoring of your health is recommended. In this case if prevention methods does not prevent getting heart disease, medication along with medical procedures are options to consider that can treat and potentially save lives of many. Angioplasty and stenting are treatment methods that are less invasive as oppose to surgery treatment such as cardiac bypass surgery. http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Resources/Detail.aspx?cid=7bccc4b1-d4e7-4407-879d-85a5fd9bedfa The best thing one can do is to follow through with a healthy eating plan, frequent doctor visits, exercise, eliminate bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and know your family history. The steps you take to ensure your overall health are the ones your family will appreciate so that you will live longer and will be able enjoy precious moments of living with them!

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/2008/index.htm

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs334/en/index.html

http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Resources/Detail.aspx?cid=7bccc4b1-d4e7-4407-879d-85a5fd9bedfa

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