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Heart disease among women: Facts, indicators, and healthy approach to fight it*
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Copyright: MomsOwnSpace - Health and Science report: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men as well as women in the United States. According to the published data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women account for about 51% of all heart diseases deaths. The following statistics for heart disease among women gives some perspective on the prevalence and effects of this often fatal disease:
- 355,800 women died due to heart diseases in 2002.
- 450, 000 females died from heart disease in 2004.
- An estimated 770,000 Americans will have some form of heart attack in 2008 and about 430,000 will have recurrent attack.
- About every 26 seconds, an American will have a heart-related problem, and about one every minute will die from one
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women aged 65 years and older, second leading cause of death among women aged 45-65 years, and third leading cause of death among women aged 25-44 years.
The important fact to remember is that many cases of heart disease can be prevented with healthy lifestyle, awareness of the symptoms of heart-related diseases, and timely detection and medical care. So, what constitutes heart disease? In its broadest sense, heart disease refers to the “diseases of the heart” as defined by the International Classification of Diseases and used by the CDC’s Center for Health Statistics. This includes acute rheumatic fever, chronic rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and any other heart condition or disease. However, the most common form of heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack.
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.
Risk Factors for Heart Diseases: According to the CDC, there is a range of risk for heart disease depending on family and personal health history and the treatment recommendations from a physician will depend on a woman's level of risk. Here are the main risk factors contributing or increasing the chances of heart disease among women 20 years or older:
- Hypertension or taking hypertension medication
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes.
- Obesity
In addition, for woman 18 years or older, smoking and lack of leisure-time physical activity constitute risks for heart disease.
Regardless of the risk factors and levels, the following lifestyle modifications are recommended for all women by the CDC
- Cigarette smoking cessation
- 30 minutes physical activity most days
- Heart-healthy diet
- Weight maintenance/reduction
- Evaluation and treatment of depression
According to the CDC, a healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons to fight heart disease. The American Heart Association, recommends the following food and diet choices for reducing the risks and fighting heart disease:
- Choose lean meats and skinless poultry and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
- Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.
- Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in the diet.
- Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
- Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
- Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (or less than 1,500 mg for person in a higher risk group for high blood pressure).
- For those who take alcohol, no more than one drink per day.
- Follow the American Heart Association recommendations when you eat out,* and keep an eye on the portion sizes.
In addition to the healthy food choices, physical activity is an important step to preventing heart disease. Persons with symptoms of heart disease or on heart medications should consult their physician before deciding on a particular physical activity. However, one can take a few simple steps at home, at work, and at play to increase the amount of physical activity. A simple 30 minutes physical activity may substantially reduce the risks of heart disease. To be continued……
*Disclaimer: This report is provided as fact sheet and not intended as medical advice. You should see a physician if you suspect a heart-related problem. You should also consult a physician before starting a particular diet or physical exercise.
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