Don’t Think Heart Disease is a Man’s Problem

Some women are under the illusion that heart attacks and heart disease aren't something they have to worry about. Those are the realms of men, right? Wrong. Dead wrong.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released statistics that show heart disease kills more women each year than all types of cancer combined. At Women’s Health Medical Group, while our gynecological services are what you may think of us for, we also help you stay off the statistics for heart disease.

So that you know the extent that heart disease affects women, we thought we’d share some statistics with you.

Your heart and you

Here are some statistics compiled by the American Heart Association:

• Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths every year.
• Heart disease kills one woman every 80 seconds.
• Around 44 million women are affected by heart disease.
• 90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
• Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.
• 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented with lifestyle changes and education.
• Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
• The symptoms of a heart attack can be different in women than men.

Hispanic women

• Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for Hispanic women.
• Only 34% of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

African-American women

• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for African-American women.
• Only about 50% of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
• Nearly half of African-American women over the age of 20 have cardiovascular disease, yet only 14% believe that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health problem.

Change your ways

At the Women’s Health Medical Group we can help you develop plans to manage your lifestyle to help your heart. These start with what you eat and what you do.

• Eat better — Eating foods that are heart healthy isn’t difficult, but it involves a change in how you think about eating. You don’t have to give up ice cream or the occasional steak, but overall your choices should include: veggies, fruits, poultry instead of beef, fish, unsalted nuts, legumes, whole grains, and dairy. One of the best things you can do is to cut back seriously on highly processed foods.
• Exercise — Moving makes your heart happy. Studies show that regular exercise — 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week — keeps your heart strong. You don’t have to feel as if it’s all of nothing, either. Start small with something like daily walks around the block, and progress from there.

While issues such as breast cancer take much of the women’s health spotlight, heart disease is even deadlier. Next time you’re in for a checkup, let’s talk about your risks. Call us for your next appointment, 817-346-5336.