Mercy Network
Mercy Family Clinic
For Her: Heart Health
Heart disease is often thought of as a man’s problem. The statistics tell a different story, however. For women, cardiovascular disease claims 10 times as many lives as breast cancer and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). In fact, by age 60, heart disease is the number one cause of death for American women.
The Hormone Factor
Heart attacks often strike men as young as age 40, but women are rarely affected before age 50. Estrogen may protect women’s hearts by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol, elevating “good” HDL cholesterol, increasing blood flow to the heart and distributing body fat favorably.
After menopause, when estrogen levels fall and the protective benefits fade, women’s odds quickly catch up to those of men. According to the AHA, one in nine women age 45 to 64 has some form of heart or blood vessel disease, and the ratio soars to one in three at age 65 and beyond.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Even though women tend to develop heart disease later in life - and more gradually - than men, it can be more deadly when diagnosed. About one-quarter more women die within a year of having a heart attack than men, according to the AHA. The reason? Heart disease in women often goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage. Plus, women tend to be older than men when they suffer heart attacks, which makes them more susceptible to other illnesses that may hamper recovery.
Unlock The Key Differences
A number of heart-related factors set men and women apart. Women have higher average levels of HDL cholesterol, the “good” kind, than men. Consequently, if a woman has a low HDL level, her risk of heart disease increases more than a man’s. If a woman has diabetes, she is more likely to have damaged arteries and high blood pressure and cholesterol levels than a man with the same condition. Diabetes can also blunt the protective effects of estrogen. Finally, smoking has a stronger negative impact on women’s hearts than on men’s, particularly in women who use oral contraceptives. Smoking not only damages the lining of the arteries, but can also lower levels of “good” cholesterol and speed the onset of menopause.
For men, chest pain (angina) during exertion is the classic heart attack warning. Women are more likely to have angina at rest, and the pain may come and go for years before an attack occurs. Shortness of breath, weakness and nausea may also herald heart attacks for women.
A Healthier Tomorrow
Avoiding the controllable risk factors for heart disease is the key to good health.
- If you smoke, kick the habit.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in saturated fat.
- Shed excess pounds.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Control high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Manage diabetes closely.
The time to prevent a heart attack is now. If you have concerns about heart disease, see your doctor. For more information, contact the American Heart Association at 1-888-MY-HEART, or check out their Web site at www.amhrt.org.