Women and Heart Disease or Stroke - 5 Risk Factors That Can Be Modified or Treated
Let's face it as a society we really don't take the idea of women and heart disease all that seriously. After all isn't a heart attack or stroke only something men have to worry about? Doesn't estrogen protect women from this silent killer? Isn't cancer a bigger threat to women than heart disease? All of these question seem logical but the fact of the matter is none of them are true. The truth about women and heart disease or stroke is that in America twice as many women die of these two cardiovascular disorders than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
So identifying the possible factors that increase the chances of a women having a heart attack or stroke should to be identified, and either modified or eliminated. Let's take a few minutes to run through five risk factors that can be modified, treated or managed wit h lifestyle modification and/or medication if needed.
When it comes to women and heart disease smoking is not cool.
While you can't change your family history, gender, the aging process, or a previous history of heart attack or stroke you can certainly say no to tobacco. Women who smoke, or for that matter inhale large amounts of second hand smoke, are at increased risk for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Studies show birth control pills only make matters worse, increasing a smokers risk of cardiovascular disease substantially.
High blood cholesterol is not good for your heart.
Up until the age of 55 women have some natural protection against arterial plaque deposits but after that it is all downhill, with men and women having virtually identical chances of dying of a heart attack by the age of 62. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) raise the risk of heart attack. High levels of good cholesterol (HDL) lower the risk of heart disease. Research seems to suggest that low levels of good cholesterol seems to a stronger risk factor in women than men.
Be aware to the risks of high blood pressure
High blood pressure in women increases their chances of having a heart attack. But perhaps more importantly it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Obesity, a family history of high blood pressure, pregnancy, and certain types of birth control pills are the biggest threats to a woman developing high blood pressure. It is also important to point out that African American women are the highest risk demographic.
Inactivity will literally kill you.
Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in those who are inactive than those who stay active. Being inactive can also lead to weight gain which in turn leads to high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart attack. A recent study showed that 38 percent of heart attack victims were inactive or underactive.
Obesity and being overweight were great in 16 century.
Yes, what a difference a few centuries can make! Today we know that having too much fat, especially when is causes an expanding waistline, puts a women at risk for many health problems including high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
In summary, women and heart disease and stoke is a serious problem but by taking steps to stay active, consuming a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and saying no to tobacco you can greatly reduce your chances of become a heart attack or stroke victim. Additionally, many women have found that by adding a natural cholesterol reduction supplement to the three steps above they have been able to decrease certain risk factors even further.
So identifying the possible factors that increase the chances of a women having a heart attack or stroke should to be identified, and either modified or eliminated. Let's take a few minutes to run through five risk factors that can be modified, treated or managed wit h lifestyle modification and/or medication if needed.
When it comes to women and heart disease smoking is not cool.
While you can't change your family history, gender, the aging process, or a previous history of heart attack or stroke you can certainly say no to tobacco. Women who smoke, or for that matter inhale large amounts of second hand smoke, are at increased risk for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Studies show birth control pills only make matters worse, increasing a smokers risk of cardiovascular disease substantially.
High blood cholesterol is not good for your heart.
Up until the age of 55 women have some natural protection against arterial plaque deposits but after that it is all downhill, with men and women having virtually identical chances of dying of a heart attack by the age of 62. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) raise the risk of heart attack. High levels of good cholesterol (HDL) lower the risk of heart disease. Research seems to suggest that low levels of good cholesterol seems to a stronger risk factor in women than men.
Be aware to the risks of high blood pressure
High blood pressure in women increases their chances of having a heart attack. But perhaps more importantly it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Obesity, a family history of high blood pressure, pregnancy, and certain types of birth control pills are the biggest threats to a woman developing high blood pressure. It is also important to point out that African American women are the highest risk demographic.
Inactivity will literally kill you.
Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in those who are inactive than those who stay active. Being inactive can also lead to weight gain which in turn leads to high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart attack. A recent study showed that 38 percent of heart attack victims were inactive or underactive.
Obesity and being overweight were great in 16 century.
Yes, what a difference a few centuries can make! Today we know that having too much fat, especially when is causes an expanding waistline, puts a women at risk for many health problems including high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
In summary, women and heart disease and stoke is a serious problem but by taking steps to stay active, consuming a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and saying no to tobacco you can greatly reduce your chances of become a heart attack or stroke victim. Additionally, many women have found that by adding a natural cholesterol reduction supplement to the three steps above they have been able to decrease certain risk factors even further.
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