If that fact surprised you here are some others you might not know but should be aware of:
Women are more likely than men to die from a heart attack, and to die after a procedure such as a stent or a balloon angioplasty.
Women are more likely than men to have another heart attack within five years.
Women don't get the same screening, preventive treatment, or life-saving medications or procedures in the ER when they are admitted for heart trouble
While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
Only 8% of women believe heart disease is a greater risk than cancer.
64% of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
In 2/3 of women who suffer a heart attack the first sign of heart disease is the heart attack
When we feel good it's hard to imagine we might be felled by something like a silent heart attack. Higher than 5 is a critical call to action.
There is one factor most medical agencies and docs won't talk to you about that I believe is critical to heart health and survival after a heart attack.
In his empowering book, Love and Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy, Dr. Dean Ornish documents studies that conclude intimacy (emotional support and connection) is at least as important as physical factors (cholesterol levels, blood pressure, etc.) for the prevention of and recovery from heart disease.
According to Dr. Christine Northrup, "Though most of us wait until mid-life to take steps to prevent or treat it, heart disease actually begins in childhood-the minute we learn to start shutting down our hearts to avoid feeling disappointment and loss."
An open heart, close friends or family ties, a community we share ourselves with knowing we are safe;
Knowing whether or not your heart is healthy is very important, especially since heart disease is the number one killer in North America today. Here's a list to help you chuckle (which, incidentally, is very good for your heart):
1. I would know if I had high blood pressure. You can be in good physical condition and still have high blood pressure, and the same goes for high cholesterol. So drop the wand and see your doctor for a proper test.
2. I have heart disease so I should take it easy. Not according to Harvard Medical School, and they're SORT OF experts in this stuff. The best thing you can do, in fact, is get some physical activity at the level that's right for you. Your doctor can help you pinpoint that level. And when you know, try one-on-one yoga from one of our experts so that you can hit that sweet spot right away.
3. I'll know if I'm having a heart attack because I'll have chest pain. Signs of a heart attack are sometimes subtle. Other than chest pain, you might experience:
shortness of breath
nausea
feeling light-headed
pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your jaw, neck or back.
Not sure if it's a heart attack? Call 9-1-1 anyway - you might only get one chance.
4. Diabetes won't affect my heart if I'm taking my medication. Diabetes medication can help control your blood sugar levels, but not so much when it comes to your larger blood vessels - like the ones related to your heart. You're better off taking the diabetes med's to prevent issues with your smaller blood vessels (like the ones in your kidneys), and focusing on lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, plus quitting smoking. See a naturopathic doctor for help with this area.
5. It's okay to have higher blood pressure when you're older. While blood pressure does tend to rise with age, that doesn't mean that it's 'okay'. Stiffer arterial walls make your heart pump harder, which further weakens the arteries near your heart and allows fat to deposit itself. This is how high blood pressure leads to heart attacks. Acupuncture works great for levelling out blood pressure, so consider get a little 'needling' today.
While the American Heart Association and health professionals are working to increase awareness of heart disease in women, not all women are getting the message. The disease continues to develop over time.
Here are some of the frightening statistics for younger women*
• One in every three women over age 20 suffer from some form of heart disease.
• 35,000 women in the U.S. under the age of 55 have heart attacks each year.
• Twice as many women than men under the age of 50 die from heart attacks.
Risk Factors For Younger Women
Some of the common risk factors for younger women include the obvious ones: smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity; A recent news report also listed depression as a major risk factor for heart disease in young women. In fact, according to a new study, women under the age of 55 who suffered from depression doubled their chance of having a heart attack or other form of heart disease.
How Young Women Can Protect Themselves
Women can begin protecting themselves from heart disease while in their twenties. This is particularly important if a woman has a family history of heart disease and heart attacks.
The visit to a doctor should include a heart wellness exam. One in four American women die of some form of heart disease each year, and more women than men die from heart attacks.
Tag :
Health,
Heart Disease
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