Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart and is the leading cause of death in the United States as of 2007. Heart disease is synonymous with cardiac disease but not with cardiovascular disease which is any disease of the heart or blood vessels. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. Being overweight raises your risk for heart disease.
Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. People with high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly. There are two types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called the “bad” type of cholesterol because it can clog the arteries that carry blood to your heart.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading cause of death in the United States despite improvements in prevention, detection, and treatment. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of disability among working adults.
Arteries
When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. Heart disease is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. When damage occurs to the lining of our arteries (or even elsewhere) chemicals are released to initiate the process of inflammation. And the constriction of our arteries and the “thickening” of our blood further predisposes us to high blood pressure and heart attacks.
High blood pressure is a primary risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are symptoms of and conditions caused by coronary heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle itself (coronary artery disease). You can find out more about heart disease by contacting the National Women’s Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.
By: Gina Reay
Posts Tagged ‘Heart Attacks’
What Do We Know About Heart Disease?
January 20th, 2010Women Menopausal Changes
December 22nd, 2009
When women go through the change of life, it could bring on heart disease as well. The clotting agent fibrinogen (a soluble protein in the blood made by the liver and made insoluble because of damage tissue), increases when a woman is post-menopause; the body experiences less estrogen production and the cholesterol levels changes, thus the change of life. Estrogen is a protective factor against heart disease for women, until menopause, at which time it declines, thereby removing the protection. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center explains the connection between women and heart disease and menopausal changes.
The amount of risk caused by each change is unknown, but in most cases there is a greater risk with each change. Heart disease is two to three times greater after menopause than before. These same risks are in women who have had a hysterectomy as well. More women over the age of sixty die of heart attacks than men; women’s symptoms are different than men and are often mistaken for something less serious.
Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center suggests reduced levels of estrogen caused by stress increase risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stress can cause damage to arteries, thus creating problems. Heart disease includes the narrowing of the arteries that bring oxygen to the heart, inborn defects, diseases of the heart muscles and heart failure. Two hundred and fifty thousand American women die each year from this disease and, as women age the risk increases. It is the leading killer in America.
Doctors in the past, treated women with hormone replacement therapy to prevent heart disease during menopause and post-menopausal. After a study of women and heart disease it was confirmed that this therapy was not the right treatment for heart disease prevention.
A new study revealed that women taking hormone replacement therapy medication containing female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin (synthetic progesterone), health risks exceeded the health benefits and the study was stopped early. There were 161,809 women, ages ranging from 50-79. Breast cancer increased 26%, heart attacks increased 29%, strokes increased 41%, and blood clots increased more than 50%.
However, the study did show 34% fewer hip fractures and there were other benefits. The risk factor s outweigh the benefits. For a short-term treatment, some women may consider HRT, but it should be based on individual health history. To read the full report: Medline Plus-Encyclopedia
There are other things that will help women to adjust to menopause and have a healthy heart. They are to stop smoking, maintain the proper weight, exercise regularly, cut down on the fatty foods, keep an eye on your cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. According to The Nurses Health Study, folic acid, B-6 and B-12 played a role in reducing the risk of heart attack or death among women of heart disease when one group consumed more food and supplements than the other group.
If hormone replacement therapy is chosen, remember to eat healthy and exercise which will maintain healthy heart muscles. Be sure to have regular check-ups and call your health care provider if anything unusual occurs.
By: Carolyn Bell Smith
Symptoms Of Women’s Heart Disease
December 1st, 2009
In this article we will look at the symptoms of women’s heart disease. More women than men have died from heart attacks since 1984. Women do not realize their risk of heart disease is as significant as it is for men. Women should be educated on what the symptoms are so they can seek care early. Appropriate treatment for heart related problems is crucial.
The heart disease symptoms that women experience can be different from those of men. Women are less likely to be diagnosed and treated early on because of this. Women should be educated on their potential risk for heart disease. This empowers them to determine if they need to consult with their health care provider to lower their risk.
Women account for almost half of all heart attack deaths. Women often do not believe they are as vulnerable to heart attacks as men but they are, and this is why women need to know the symptoms. Women usually delay seeking emergency treatment when they are having a heart attack because they do not believe they are having one. Women and men respond to a heart attack differently.
It is important that women know the signs of a heart attack. They are as follows:
Discomfort or pain in the center of the chest. Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper body. This may include the back, neck, arms, stomach or jaw. Some other symptoms can include light headedness, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, gas like pain or indigestion.
Women, rather than men, tend to experience shortness of breath, vomiting or nausea and jaw or back pain. Just as with men, the most common heart attack symptom in women is chest discomfort or pain. Women are more likely to have other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and congestive heart failure, which makes it more vital to get proper treatment fast. Women also tend to be about ten years older than men when they have a heart attack.
The number one killer of both men and women is heart disease. It is important to know the symptoms, because time matters during a heart attack. If you feel you are having heart attack symptoms do not delay, because fast treatment is critical. Do not wait more than five minutes to call for emergency treatment.
By: Fran Mullens