It is the single leading cause of death for women in the United States. Once thought of as a man’s disease, this culprit claims the lives of nearly half a million females every year, killing more women over the age of 65 than all cancers combined. Despite the fact that public awareness has increased substantially during the last 10 years, one out of three women continues to lose her life to cardiovascular disease. “On average, about 51 females die from heart disease and stroke in Ohio each day,” says spokeswoman Alison Bibb of the Cleveland branch of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Why is this so? A large percentage of women do not pay attention to the signals their bodies are sending. Coronary artery disease (a form of heart disease) can produce a sudden heart attack. “As with men, a woman’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, but women are more likely to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain,” says Bibb. Unfortunately, poor recovery and fatality rates resulting from a heart attack are much higher for women than men. Often, this is because milder symptoms or the belief that symptoms are due to another cause sends women to the hospital too late, after damage has already occurred.
With a goal of reducing heart disease and stroke, AHA has worked with Congress and each current US president since 1963 to draft and sign an annual proclamation designating February American Heart Month. This month-long celebration is dedicated to persuading women, and all Americans, to learn the risk factors, warning signs and prevention of heart disease.
Bibb encourages all women to learn more about heart health by joining AHA’s nationwide Go Red for Women movement at www.goredforwomen.org. “[The website] is a premier source of information and education, which connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into lifesaving actions,” she says.
University Hospitals is a sponsor of this valuable movement. As a presenting speaker at Cleveland’s AHA’s Go Red for Women Health Expo and Luncheon: “Knock Out Heart Disease” on February 26 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Dr. Barbara Williams, director of UH’s Harrington-McLaughlin Heart and Vascular Institute, explains that this event allows women to hear multiple presentations from professionals who can help them identify areas that are priorities for them, and how to take action to lower their risk of heart disease. “With one out of three women still unaware of their personal risk for heart disease, it’s vital to continue to raise awareness.”
“On average, about 51 females die from heart disease and stroke in Ohio each day.”
Williams says risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke increase with age and include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, smoking and family history of early heart disease (before age 55 for men and before 65 for women). “Now, we are also adding lifestyle risk factors, such as a poor diet with too much saturated fat and a lack of fruits and vegetables, as well as consumption of excessive alcohol,” she says. “We are also finding that stress can be a risk factor. This is significant for women addressing family needs, taking care of older parents and working full time. Anxiety, stress and depression can lead to the development of inflammation of the blood vessels, and that is what is needed for cholesterol deposition long term into the arteries causing a heart attack.”
Occasionally women experience a heart attack as early as age 30 or 40 (typically with a family history), says Williams, but a world study found that the average age for women is 74. However, she notes: “Cleveland women are presenting with heart attacks much earlier – in their 60s rather than mid 70s. In their minds, many times women think, ‘I felt fine yesterday and now today I’m sick,’ where as for me, as a doctor, this has been a disease since their early 20s, and it is just now showing clinical signs.” Stated as simply as possible, Williams says, “Choices consistently made throughout life don’t show consequences until decades later.”
Williams says the biggest impact to reduce death rates from coronary artery disease and disability from heart issues comes from women taking an active role in reducing their overall risk. This includes managing cholesterol through a heart-healthy diet, being physically active and avoiding smoking. Value the fact that heart disease can be prevented. “Start with teaching young children the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet because choices learned early on can have a significant impact on lifelong behaviors,” says Williams.
To show your support for women and heart disease, wear red on National Wear Red Day on February 5, 2010. To learn more about heart disease and American Heart Month, visit www.americanheart.org.
Author:
