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Heart Disease and Women
February 7, 2009 |
Almost 37 percent of women die each year from some type of cardiovascular disease.
That’s more than six times the amount that die from breast cancer. Dr. Steven Longobardi
says, “When people talk about heart disease as one of the leading killers in the
United States now, it’s mostly coronary artery disease.”
Coronary artery disease can be caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries,
smoking, poor diet and in some cases it’s genetic. If left untreated, these factors
can result in a heart attack.
The most common sign of a heart attack is pain in the chest. However, women are
more likely to experience other symptoms. “A woman can have symptoms that can mimic
the classic chest discomfort, the elephant on the chest,
but it also could be just a pain in the back,” says Dr. Longobardi. Other signs women should be aware of are
shortness of breath, fatigue, upper abdominal discomfort, nausea and discomfort
in the neck, jaw and upper back area. Dr. Longobardi says, “Every symptom should
be taken seriously especially when it’s anybody has any of the cardinal risk factors,
which would be family history, smoking or diabetes.”
Doctors urge women no to underestimate their risk and their symptoms because sometimes
the first sign of coronary heart disease isn’t how you want it diagnosed. “Approximately
40 percent, their first symptom is sudden cardiac death, where they drop dead,”
adds Dr. Longobardi.
Treatments for coronary heart disease include medicine, coronary stents and bypass
surgery. |
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