| Let's face it as a society we really don't take the idea | | | | seems to a stronger risk factor in women than men. |
| of women and heart disease all that seriously. After all | | | | Be aware to the risks of high blood pressure |
| isn't a heart attack or stroke only something men have | | | | High blood pressure in women increases their chances |
| to worry about? Doesn't estrogen protect women | | | | of having a heart attack. But perhaps more importantly |
| from this silent killer? Isn't cancer a bigger threat to | | | | it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Obesity, |
| women than heart disease? All of these question | | | | a family history of high blood pressure, pregnancy, and |
| seem logical but the fact of the matter is none of | | | | certain types of birth control pills are the biggest |
| them are true. The truth about women and heart | | | | threats to a woman developing high blood pressure. It |
| disease or stroke is that in America twice as many | | | | is also important to point out that African American |
| women die of these two cardiovascular disorders than | | | | women are the highest risk demographic. |
| from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. | | | | Inactivity will literally kill you. |
| So identifying the possible factors that increase the | | | | Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in those who |
| chances of a women having a heart attack or stroke | | | | are inactive than those who stay active. Being inactive |
| should to be identified, and either modified or eliminated. | | | | can also lead to weight gain which in turn leads to high |
| Let's take a few minutes to run through five risk | | | | blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, |
| factors that can be modified, treated or managed wit | | | | and an increased risk of heart attack. A recent study |
| h lifestyle modification and/or medication if needed. | | | | showed that 38 percent of heart attack victims were |
| When it comes to women and heart disease smoking | | | | inactive or underactive. |
| is not cool. | | | | Obesity and being overweight were great in 16 |
| While you can't change your family history, gender, the | | | | century. |
| aging process, or a previous history of heart attack or | | | | Yes, what a difference a few centuries can make! |
| stroke you can certainly say no to tobacco. Women | | | | Today we know that having too much fat, especially |
| who smoke, or for that matter inhale large amounts of | | | | when is causes an expanding waistline, puts a women |
| second hand smoke, are at increased risk for ischemic | | | | at risk for many health problems including high |
| stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Studies show | | | | cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease |
| birth control pills only make matters worse, increasing a | | | | and stroke. |
| smokers risk of cardiovascular disease substantially. | | | | In summary, women and heart disease and stoke is a |
| High blood cholesterol is not good for your heart. | | | | serious problem but by taking steps to stay active, |
| Up until the age of 55 women have some natural | | | | consuming a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, |
| protection against arterial plaque deposits but after that | | | | and saying no to tobacco you can greatly reduce your |
| it is all downhill, with men and women having virtually | | | | chances of become a heart attack or stroke victim. |
| identical chances of dying of a heart attack by the | | | | Additionally, many women have found that by adding a |
| age of 62. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) raise | | | | natural cholesterol reduction supplement to the three |
| the risk of heart attack. High levels of good cholesterol | | | | steps above they have been able to decrease certain |
| (HDL) lower the risk of heart disease. Research | | | | risk factors even further. |
| seems to suggest that low levels of good cholesterol | | | | |