Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer amongst women, claiming over 500,000 lives every year. Yet, many women still believe that cardiovascular disease is a disease of the opposite sex.

The American Heart Association (AHA) Go Red For Women movement raises awareness about cardiovascular disease amongst women and their loved ones, using the color Red not only as a symbol for women and heart disease, but also empowering women to invest time and energy into their and their families heart health.

Facts

• Nearly 39 percent of all female deaths in America occur from CVD, which includes coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
• CVD is a particularly important problem among minority women. The death rate due to CVD is substantially higher in black women than in white women.
• In 2003, CVD claimed the lives of 483,842 females; cancer (all forms combined) 267,902.
• In 2003, coronary heart disease claimed the lives of 233,886 females compared with 41,566 lives from breast cancer and 67,894 from lung cancer.
• 38 percent of women compared with 25 percent of men will die within one year after a heart attack.
• Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability; an estimated 15 to 30 percent of stroke survivors are permanently disabled.
• Misperceptions still exist that CVD is not a real problem for women.

Cardiovascular disease in men and women differ slightly in the following:

• Age and hereditary are risk factors that cannot be changed
• More women than men die of stroke.
• Low levels of the "good" cholesterol as well as triglycerides may be a stronger predictor of heart disease death in women than in men in the over 65 age group. Both markers can be easily assessed by a simple blood test that measures the different kinds of cholesterol and fats. Women with abnormal results may need to be on cholesterol lowering medications and should talk to their physician.
• Smoking is the biggest modifiable risk factor for heart disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and stroke. 
• Diabetes appears to be an even stronger contributing risk factor for heart disease in women than in men. Regular physical activity, healthier meals and a 10 - 20 pound weight loss (if overweight) will reduce your risk of diabetes and your risk for heart disease.
• Due to the lack of awareness and publicity, diagnosis of heart disease presents a greater challenge in women than in men.

For more information visit the AHA Web site.Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, possible lifestyle changes and medical treatment options today.