One Woman Dies M Every Minute From Heart Disease
Sumita Chowdhury MD, MPH, FACC, MBA
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ost women think a routine health checkup consists of screening for breast and genital cancers. Rarely do women think they need to undergo a comprehensive cardiac evaluation. Surprisingly, the average American woman does not believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat. In fact, 80% of the women in the United States have a similar perception of cardiac risk that is not based on reality1.
Number 1 killer today
The reality is that heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women today, according to the American Heart Association1. The number of women dying from heart disease far exceeds all forms of cancer combined1. Almost every minute, a woman is dying from heart disease.
The chilling facts are that heart disease results in 1 in 3 deaths each year, while breast cancer results in 1 in 31 deaths each year for American women1. One of the biggest myths in our society is that men are more likely to die from a heart attack than women. This belief has infiltrated the fabric of our culture and media. The vivid image of a famous male movie star gasping for breath, clutching his chest and falling to the ground is all too familiar. While all of us have that movie scene imprinted into our long-term memories, the irony is that the heart attack victim is much more likely to be a woman, dying slowly without a hint of melodrama; yet that image has never been allowed to permeate our collective consciousness. Indeed, the facts reveal that since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease1. An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. suffer from heart disease. The heart muscle needs oxygen to survive. Coronary arteries supply blood containing oxygen to the heart. These arteries can stiffen and develop blockages with buildup of cholesterol and other elements, resulting in plaque formation in a process known as atherosclerosis. These plaques can rupture and incite clot formation. The resulting blockages of the coronary artery can compromise blood flow to the heart. When the blood flow to the heart muscle is compromised, the resulting lack of 16
HealthLine May - Aug 2015
oxygen can cause a heart attack. This blockage of the coronary arteries is known as coronary artery disease and is the leading cause of death of both women and men in the United States. Although older women post-menopause are more likely to suffer a heart attack, women at every age should be motivated to adapt a healthy lifestyle. Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. These risk factors that woman should screen for and improve include: Abnormal lipid profile: Bad cholesterol (LDL) can build up in our arteries and form plaque. Such plaques can narrow the passages, obstruct blood flow, and result in heart attacks or strokes. High levels of good cholesterol (HDL) may help to clean our arteries and protect against a heart attack. Low levels, however, can actually increase our risk. All women should follow up with their healthcare providers to learn more about their risks. Smoking: Complete cessation from smoking is the need of the hour. Smoking can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 4 times. When compared to men who smoke, women who smoke have worse outcomes with a 25 percent greater risk of developing heart disease. High blood pressure: This is known as a silent killer because blood pressure can creep up to very dangerously high levels without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure resulting in the need for dialysis and loss of vision. This can be improved by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes daily, weight loss if needed, abstinence from alcohol, and a diet low in fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Diabetes: All diabetics should work closely with their healthcare providers to control diabetes since they have up to a 4 fold higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Diabetes can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, and circulation resulting in peripheral vascular disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Overweight: Abdominal fat increases our risk for heart attacks. That’s why it’s important to measure our waist circumference. A waist circumference of greater than 80 cm puts women at risk. For South Asian women, studies have found that a lower cut-off of 72 cm may be more useful in predicting an increase in the risk for heart disease.