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HEART FACTS FOR WOMEN:
6.6 million American women have heart disease and one in three women die of heart disease making it the #1
killer of women. However fewer than one in ten women today think that heart disease is their greatest health
threat. Heart disease can develop as early as teenage years but as mid life dawns, women develop more risk
factors, which can increase their chances of heart disease. One in twelve women have heart disease between
45 to 64 years of age, which increases to one in 4 after 65 years and more women die within 6 weeks of a
heart attack than men. Healthy life style changes by itself can reduce the risk of heart disease by 82%.
Understanding a Heart Attack:
Heart Attack or Myocardial infarction occurs when there is inadequate supply of oxygen rich blood to
the muscles of the heart. This can occur due to a blockage in the blood vessel supplying the heart called
the coronary artery or due to spasm of these vessels. The heart muscles may be damaged or may die depending
on how long the heart muscle has been deprived of the oxygen. Heart attack depending on its severity can
cause Heart Failure i.e. the damaged heart muscle (myocardium) is unable to adequately pump blood, irregular
heart rates or even death. Paramount to the chances of surviving a heart attack is knowing the early warning
signs and getting immediate medical attention. Therapies for heart attacks, such as clot-busting drugs,
balloon angioplasty and coronary stenting are most effective when begun within hours of heart attack symptoms.
The sooner blood flow is restored, the greater the amount of heart muscle that will be saved.
Warning Signs of a Heart attack:
- Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.
- Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Other associated symptoms include shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat
more likely than men to experience some atypical symptoms like new episodes of fatigue, shortness of breath,
insomnia, indigestion and an anxious feeling.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease:
Those beyond your control:
- Age above 55years.
- Family history of heart disease.
Those you can take action against:
- Overweight/Obesity - Inactive Americans are eating themselves to death at an alarming rate, their
unhealthy habits fast approaching tobacco as the top underlying preventable cause of death, a recent government
study found. The easy way to remember what is a good diet is Green means "GO", Yellow states "Caution" and Red
states " Stop!
- Hypertension (Blood Pressure) – Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart failure. The risk of
repeat heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events in women increases as blood pressure rises,
researchers report in a Journal of the American Heart Association.
- Smoking – 22.7 million women smoke. Women who smoke risk having a heart attack 19 years earlier than
non-smoking women.
- Diabetes – Women with diabetes may not present with chest pain during a heart attack and they are 3 to 4
times more likely than men to develop heart disease.
- Sedentary Life style – More women than men are physically inactive, engaging in no leisure time physical
activity. Recommended activity is at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity such as brisk
walking. Any exercise is good the more the better.
- High Cholesterol – Nearly 50% of the women have high cholesterol and they may need a cholesterol-lowering drug.
Women have strived for centuries for the welfare of the society and for their families, now it is time
they sit back and take a control of their well being and fight their #1 health threat. Healthy lifestyle
changes will be a small first step leading to generous health returns. These life style changes include
changes in diet, increase in physical activity and regular annual health checks to screen for cardiac risk
factors.
May GOD bless you all.
"Catering to Entire Family's Healthcare Needs"
Sai Primary Care
9223 Broadway Street, Suite 107, Pearland, TX 77584
(281) 412-6606
www.SaiPrimaryCare.com
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