It's estimated that one in five American females has some form of heart or vascular disease. If any one of these women should suffer a heart attack or stroke, their risk of death, disability, or a second heart attack or stroke will be considerably higher than a man's.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. It will claim the lives of more than half a million women each year. Cancer kills less than 260,000 women yearly.
Much of these deaths (cardiovascular related) could be averted if women were more aware of the signs of heart attack or stroke. Here's what women need to know:
1. Age -- the likelihood of developing heart disease increases with age, especially after menopause. The loss of natural estrogen may contribute to this risk.
2. Family History -- women with relatives who've had a heart attack or stroke are at a greater risk.
3. Race -- African-American women are at a greater risk for heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure than Caucasian women.
4. Smoking -- this well-known risk factor is more dangerous if you smoke and take oral contraceptives.
5. Cholesterol -- if your cholesterol level is 200mg/dl or higher, your risk for a heart attack or stroke is great.
Other risks to consider:
1. High blood pressure - keeping your blood pressure under control is very important
2. Physical inactivity - get at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week
3. Obesity/overweight - try to maintain a healthy weight
4. Excessive alcohol use - limit your alcohol intake to no more than two glasses
5. Diabetes mellitus - if you have diabetes, your risk for heart attack rises. Check your blood sugar often.
Additional stroke risk factors include being female, a prior stroke or heart attack, carotid artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder (atrial fibrillation), transient ischemic attacks (mini strokes), certain blood disorders, and drug abuse.
When women do suffer a heart attack or stroke, they are less likely to receive aggressive, potentially life saving treatments. Here are warning signs women may experience before or during a heart attack:
Pain in the arm
Shortness of breath
A tight feeling in the chest
Fatigue
Nausea
Signs of a stroke include:
Difficulty/inability to speak or understand speech
Sudden weakness/numbness (face/limb on one side)
Sudden severe headache
Sudden dimness/loss of vision, often in one eye
Unexplained dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your emergency 911 service immediately!
For more information about women and heart attacks, contact the American Heart Association at http://www.women.americanheart.org. For more information on women and strokes, contact the American Stroke Association at http://www.strokeassociation.org.
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