Friday, August 19, 2011

Cardiovascular disease in women

Men notoriously have a higher risk of heart attack and hypertension, but once a woman reaches menopause, her risk essentially equals that of men. And the symptoms of a heart attack are not the movie style, grab your chest attack men tend to have - women have more subtle symptoms that require a more alert concern over your health. They are also more likely to die after a heart attack compared to men.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. One in two women will die from heart disease or stroke. Compare that to one in 25 who will die from breast cancer (no, I didn't make this up - see Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).

Heart disease includes high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease (which causes heart attack), congestive heart failure, and various types of heart rhythm and function issues. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 8 million women in the U.S. are living with some form of heart disease.

If you're a woman and you experience unexplained chest pain or shortness of breath - see your doctor! Know the symptoms and your risk factors - see the American Heart Association for more information.

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