nani
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| Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:37 am women at risk for heart disease |
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Although heart disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people in the United States. One type of heart disease is called coronary heart disease (CHD), which is caused by atherosclerosis. CHD results in narrowing of coronary arteries (through which oxygen-rich blood and nutrients are supplied to the heart). In time, the inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients damages the heart muscle and can lead to chest pain and heart attack—and possibly to death. affects men earlier in life, surprisingly, it’s the leading cause of death in women. Even more surprising, it claims the lives of more women than all cancers combined. That’s why women should take steps to help protect themselves.
Some Facts
For women age 45 to 64, 1 in 10 has some form of heart disease.
This increases to 1 in 4 for women 65 and older.
About 3 out of 5 deaths from stroke occur in women.
Every year, about a half-million women die of heart disease—more than from breast cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s combined.
The American Heart Association found that only 13% of women say they consider heart disease their greatest health risk.
Some Clarity
Premenopausal women have some natural protection against cardiovascular disease (ie, hormones).
After menopause, women become more vulnerable to heart disease.
Plus, as women get older, gain excess weight, or both, their triglyceride and cholesterol levels tend to rise.
The Symptoms
Women with heart disease may not have typical symptoms like chest pain. Symptoms may include:
Unexplained fatigue
Shortness of breath
Difficulty sleeping
Indigestion
Anxiety
It’s important for a woman to know her risk factors and to talk to her doctor about them.
Some Answers
To help determine your risk of developing coronary heart disease, your doctor may routinely check blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. You should follow your doctor’s advice on maintaining proper body weight with daily exercise and following a low-fat diet |
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