Today, heart disease is still one of the leading causes of death in our nation and is the number one killer of women. Heart disease has become epidemic for our country, and 64 percent of women who die suddenly from coronary problems had no previous symptoms; it is time for women to become educated about heart health and the risk it poses for them or their loved ones.
So, what exactly is heart disease? It is a common term to describe several heart-related problems and occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries and the arteries narrow, which causes difficulties for blood flow and increases the risk for heart attack or stroke. Other types of heart disease include heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and heart valve problems.
Heart disease used to have the stigma of being an “older man’s disease,” however, heart disease kills one in three women each year, averaging to approximately one woman every minute. That staggering statistic is why it is so important for women to educate themselves and learn prevention methods. Since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease, however only one in five women believe that heart disease is her greatest risk.
Knowing your risk for heart disease can help you lower the threat. There are different factors that increase your chances of heart disease: conditions, behavior, and heredity.
Someone is at risk for heart disease if they have certain conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. Cholesterol levels indicate an increased amount of waxy substance in the arteries of the heart; high blood pressure transpires when the pressure of the blood in the arteries is too high; and diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or is unable to use the insulin it creates, causing sugar to build up in the blood.
Behavioral risks are those people whose lifestyle decisions increase their chances of heart disease. Tobacco users, especially cigarette smoking, can increase blood clotting and raise blood pressure. Those who have a high sodium and saturated fat diet can raise cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Physical inactivity and obesity promote excess fat and are often related to the conditions that increase the risk of heart disease. Finally, excessive alcohol use increases blood pressure and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Although there are some preventative actions you can take to decrease the risk of heart disease, the one non-preventative risk is genetic factors. Heart disease runs in the family and can play a role in some of the conditional risks such as high blood pressure. Another factor to consider when heart disease is common among family members is lifestyle choices. Although it can be hereditary, heart disease also stems from poor health. Family members who live together can adopt each other’s bad habits such as smoking and poor diet. When looking at your family history, be sure to examine all the factors.
Making certain lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and staying active will help lower your cholesterol and lose excess weight. We live in a sedentary society, so here are a few easy suggestions to help facilitate this: take the stairs instead of an elevator; get up out of your chair once an hour and do some jumping jacks (make sure your doctor approves before you do this); walk to work or to do errands; and march in place while watching television.
Finally, when it comes to your heart, you should know that various life-threatening events that can occur:
- Heart Attack – A heart attack occurs when blood supply to the heart is diminished or even cut off. When this happens, the lack of oxygen damages the heart resulting in a heart attack. Blood supply is reduced when the arteries narrow or there is a blockage in the passage.
- Stroke – A stroke occurs when there is reduced blood flow to the brain. Much like the heart, the limited blood flow decreases the amount of oxygen going to the brain, and therefore depleting your brain tissue from the nutrients it needs.
- Heart Failure – Heart failure, or congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. This is a condition where over time, arteries will narrow and the heart will be too weak to pump efficiently.
For more information about heart disease in women, please visit www.goredforwomen.org, www.cdc.gov, or www.mayoclinic.org.
This information is for educational purposes. Please consult your physician regarding any medical issues. The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is committed to bringing trusted and quality home health, private care and hospice to Indian River County patients. For more information about VNA services, call 772-567-5551 or visit www.vnatc.com.
