| General Facts | Risk Factors | Heart Disease in Women | Age, Risk, Prevention for Women |

General Facts About Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year from heart disease. Many people develop symptoms of CHD when they are in their 40's and 50's, interrupting a most productive time.

The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. In CHD, these arteries become blocked, decreasing blood flow and causing angina (chest pain), the need for bypass surgery, or angioplasty. When the artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI) occurs. 250,000 suffer Mi's each year.

Chances of a person developing CHD are increased when one or more risk factors is present. More men than women develop heart disease, but it is the leading cause of death among women.

Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease

1. Smoking
2. High blood pressure
3. High blood cholesterol
4. Lack of exercise
5. Overweight
6. Diabetes
7. Stress
8. Birth control pills
9. Family history

Heart Disease in Women

Heart Disease is not exclusively a man's problem; it is the number one killer of women. Each year, nearly 245,000 women die of coronary disease. Another 90,000 women die of stroke each year. Overall, about 10 million American women of all ages suffer from heart disease. One in ten women, age 45 to 64, has some form of heart disease. This increases to one in four in women over 65. Each year, one-half million women suffer heart attacks.

The factors that determine the risk of disease differ in many respects between men and women. A unique profile has been identified as a signal for elevated risk in women: a combination of low good (HDL) cholesterol and high triglycerides constitutes this profile. Total cholesterol levels alone are not enough for assessing a woman's risk of heart disease. In addition, smoking and being overweight pose more of a risk in women than in men.

--(Women Take Heart, Richard H. Helfant, M.D.)

Age, Risk and Prevention for Women

Your need to determine the presence of risk factors for heart disease and to take preventative measures is related to how old you are. The onset of menopause (usually around age fifty) is most important time for evaluation. Hysterectomy is a cardiovascular equivalent of menopause, since both result in decreased estrogen levels.

Before age 35

1. Have your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol/triglyceride levels measured.
2. Do not smoke and use oral contraceptives. If you use oral contraceptives, quit smoking. If you can't quit, choose another form of contraceptive.

Ages 35-50

1. In addition to the weight, blood pressure and cholesterol/triglyceride profiles, have a blood sugar test and a routine electrocardiogram.
2. Do not smoke and use oral contraceptives. If you use oral contraceptives, quit smoking. If you can't quit, choose another form of contraceptive.
3. If you smoke and/or are overweight, quit smoking and develop healthy eating habits. These life-style changes are especially urgent if your blood pressure and/or blood sugar are at all high, or if there is a strong history of high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease in your family.
4. Begin a physical activity and stress reduction program.

After 50 (post menopausal)

1. Have your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol/triglyceride profiles and blood sugar measured and have an electrocardiogram.
2. Quit smoking and develop healthy eating habits, if you have not done so already.
3. Gradually initiate a program of physical activity.
4. Incorporate the tools to defuse stresses in you life.