Introduction
Heart disease is the nation's leading killer of women. Paying attention to risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle can help decrease your chance of heart disease. Among women, 90% have one or more risk factors for heart disease at some point in their lives, according to American Heart Association statistics. Yet 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable. Remember to get annual checkups and become knowledgeable of your key health numbers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Heart disease is the nation's leading killer of women. Paying attention to risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle can help decrease your chance of heart disease. Among women, 90% have one or more risk factors for heart disease at some point in their lives, according to American Heart Association statistics. Yet 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable. Remember to get annual checkups and become knowledgeable of your key health numbers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
| Symptoms Women's heart attack symptoms may cover a wider spectrum compared with symptoms in men. Women also may have symptoms such as back pain, usually on the left side; shoulder pain; a fullness in the stomach; or nausea as signs of an impending heart attack. Click image to enlarge --> |  |
Risk Factors
Diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy as well as early delivery have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk years later. Lack of sleep – getting less than six or seven hours a night – is connected to heart disease, research has shown. Chronic stress can lead to behaviors and factors that impact heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity, and overeating.
Prevention
To cope with stress, eat healthy foods, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Consider talking to others about your stress, including a friend, parent, doctor, or counselor. Working with a health care provider to find a customized treatment plan that fits your daily life and medical needs. A friend, family member or co-worker also can be a good partner for getting physically active and sticking with a healthy eating plan.
Diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy as well as early delivery have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk years later. Lack of sleep – getting less than six or seven hours a night – is connected to heart disease, research has shown. Chronic stress can lead to behaviors and factors that impact heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity, and overeating.
Prevention
To cope with stress, eat healthy foods, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Consider talking to others about your stress, including a friend, parent, doctor, or counselor. Working with a health care provider to find a customized treatment plan that fits your daily life and medical needs. A friend, family member or co-worker also can be a good partner for getting physically active and sticking with a healthy eating plan.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION--Women’s Heart Health:
What You Should Know (C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD)
What You Should Know (C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD)
HEART OF A WOMAN: Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease • March 6, 2018
Houston Methodist Research Institute
SESSION 2 • How May We Treat and Prevent Heart Disease?
"KEYNOTE PRESENTATION--Women’s Heart Health: What You Should Know"
SPEAKER: C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD -- INTRODUCTION: John P. Cooke, MD, PhD
Houston Methodist Research Institute
SESSION 2 • How May We Treat and Prevent Heart Disease?
"KEYNOTE PRESENTATION--Women’s Heart Health: What You Should Know"
SPEAKER: C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD -- INTRODUCTION: John P. Cooke, MD, PhD
Women's Health: Strategy for Wellness:
Gender Matters: Heart Disease Risk in Women
Heart Disease can impact anyone, no matter what their background but with new advice from today's presenter, it can affect women differently from their symptoms and diagnosis.
Learn what signs you can look out for and how you can prevent it.
Presented By: Catherine Dao, MD Cardiology
Learn what signs you can look out for and how you can prevent it.
Presented By: Catherine Dao, MD Cardiology
Additional Heart Health Topics
Updated 3-16-2021
Updated 3-16-2021
Heart Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia
WebMD, January 29, 2013
Excerpt:
"Older women with heart problems may be at greater risk for mental changes that are thought to signal the beginnings of a type of dementia, a new study shows. Called vascular dementia, it is a type of mental decline that’s thought to be caused by problems in blood flow to the brain. It is believed to be different from the loss of memory and function that happens in Alzheimer’s disease, which is linked to the buildup of proteins in the brain. "
Heart disease and depression: A two-way relationship
National Institutes of Health, April 16, 2017
Excerpt:
"...cardiac patients with depression have worse outcomes, which translate to more deaths and repeated cardiovascular events. But how does depression have such an effect?
Researchers agree that while the pathways are not completely understood, there are many likely explanations. Some point to the biology of depression, such as autonomic nervous system dysfunction, elevated cortisol levels, and elevated markers of inflammation. "
Understanding the link between depression and heart disease
University of Iowa, January 2016
Excerpt:
The following lifestyle changes can help manage both depression and heart disease:
WebMD, January 29, 2013
Excerpt:
"Older women with heart problems may be at greater risk for mental changes that are thought to signal the beginnings of a type of dementia, a new study shows. Called vascular dementia, it is a type of mental decline that’s thought to be caused by problems in blood flow to the brain. It is believed to be different from the loss of memory and function that happens in Alzheimer’s disease, which is linked to the buildup of proteins in the brain. "
Heart disease and depression: A two-way relationship
National Institutes of Health, April 16, 2017
Excerpt:
"...cardiac patients with depression have worse outcomes, which translate to more deaths and repeated cardiovascular events. But how does depression have such an effect?
Researchers agree that while the pathways are not completely understood, there are many likely explanations. Some point to the biology of depression, such as autonomic nervous system dysfunction, elevated cortisol levels, and elevated markers of inflammation. "
Understanding the link between depression and heart disease
University of Iowa, January 2016
Excerpt:
The following lifestyle changes can help manage both depression and heart disease:
- Eat healthful foods: A balanced diet will make you feel better, improve the health of your heart, and decrease your risk of heart disease.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise is a great form of therapy for people with depression and helps improve your heart health at the same time.
- Drink less alcohol: As a depressant, alcohol lowers the levels of serotonin (the chemical that regulate mood) in your brain. Hence, heavy alcohol consumption may cause your depression to worsen. Alcohol also increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association recommends one to two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.
- Quit smoking: Many people who are depressed resort to smoking as a form of relaxation. Smoking is the number one preventable risk factor for developing heart disease. In other words, you can lower your chances of developing heart disease if you kick the habit. Talk with your doctor about healthier relaxation techniques.
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