Women and Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women. Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, as from all forms of cancer combined. And 38 percent of women who have heart attacks die within a year, compared to 25 percent of men. Unfortunately, studies have shown that only 13 percent of women identify cardiovascular disease as the greatest health problem facing women today.

Symptoms
Women may experience early symptoms of cardiovascular disease differently than men, and many women and their doctors do not recognize the early signs of a heart attack. The symptoms in women can be subtler. If you or any woman you know shows these signs, seek medical attention right away.

• Shortness of breath, often without chest pain of any kind
• Flu-like symptoms – specifically nausea, clamminess or cold sweats
• Unexplained fatigue, weakness or dizziness
• Pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, neck, or jaw
• Feelings of anxiety, loss of appetite, discomfort
• If you even suspect these symptoms, call your doctor. If urgent, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.

Prevention
The good news is that there are a number of steps that you can take to help reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Risk factors are those personal lifestyle habits and physical character-istics that contribute to your likelihood of developing heart disease.
Many of these factors you can change – such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, exercise and stress – and some you can't, such as age and family history. Keep in mind that reducing one risk factor may help reduce others. Exercising, for example, can help you control your weight, as can efforts to lower your cholesterol level through a low-fat diet.

It’s never too late to start reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, by introducing healthier lifestyle habits and seeing your doctor regularly for health screenings.