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Cardiovascular disease...
- is the #1 cause of death of women in the U.S.
- includes heart attacks and strokes
- kills twice as many women as all forms of cancer combined
- is frequently not diagnosed in women or incorrectly diagnosed
- has different symptoms for women than for men, causing women to
respond differently to diagnostic tests and sometimes requiring different
treatment
- is often ignored by women who think their symptoms will go away
 Resources to help you:
Risk factors for heart disease:
- Smoking
- Family history of heart disease
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol level
- Obesity
- If you carry more fat above the hips than below
- Previous personal history of heart attack or stroke
Warning signs for women:
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the
chest lasting more than a few minutes
- Jaw pain radiating down to the neck and arm
- Paleness
- Indigestion/upper abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath with mild exertion
- Chronic fatigue without reason
- Racing or irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations -- very strong or fast
- Unexplained perspiration or cold sweat
- Lightheadedness, fainting, dizziness
- Nausea
- Upper back pain without apparent cause
What can I do?
- Call 911 immediately
- Talk to your doctor about your risk factors
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Aerobic exercise 30-60 minutes, 5-7 days a week
- Adopt a low fat diet
- Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
- Keep your blood pressure under 120/80
- Have your cholesterol checked, keep total cholesterol less than 200, HDL
greater than or equal to 40, and LDL less than or equal to 100
- Discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor
- Develop strategies to adapt to stress
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