First Aid

Factors About Heart Disease in Women
Cardiovascular disease was a health issue focused just for men, but now women are the number one patients affected by this problem. Before, women typically received less intensive treatment for heart disease and fewer diagnostic studies were performed. Resulting, when many women were finally diagnosed with heart disease generally were in a more advancedstate of the disease and the prognosis was worse. Now we know that cardiovascular disease affects more women than men and is more than 40 percent of deaths among American women.
Symptoms of heart attack in women may be different compared to men. Many women who suffer a heart attack do not know that they actually are. Women often feel a burning sensation in the upper abdomen and may havedizziness, upset stomach and excessive sweating. Since they may not feel the typical pain in the left half of the chest, many women may ignore symptoms that indicate they are having a heart attack. The heart attack is generally more severe in women than in men. In the first year after a heart attack, women have a 50 percent chance of dying more than men. In the first six years after a heart attack,women are almost twice as likely to suffer a second attack.
Studies have shown that after menopause, women have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers have linked this to the decreased levels of estrogen, the female hormone. Estrogen is associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good cholesterol") and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "badcholesterol"). As the life expectancy of women in the United States is around 79 years old, women can expect to live much of their life with a higher cardiovascular risk. Studies have shown that “one in four women over age 65 suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease.”
Women should know how cardiovascular risk factors and understand the importance of changes in lifestyle that can reducethese risks. Factors such as race, age and family history of heart disease can’t be changed. However, other risk factors can be modified or eliminated by making educated choices about cardiovascular health.
Smoking is one of the most major cardiovascular risk factors. Although the total number of adult smokers has demonstrated a decline in the Unites States in the last 20 years, the number ofteenage girls who smoke has increased. Many negative consequences come from smoking. Studies show that smoking lowers good cholesterol levels, which results increasing cardiovascular risk. Cigarette smoking combined with oral contraceptive use has also been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and or stroke. Fortunately, no matter how long they have smoked and the number of cigarettessmoked, smokers can immediately reduce their risk of heart attack by stopping their smoking addiction.
Other health issues can contribute to the increases risk for Heart Disease in women. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is also known to be silent disease. Without special treatment the heart's workload speeds up the process of hardening the arteries and increases the risk of heart attack,stroke and kidney failure. Higher risks of this silent case are any women with a history of hypertension, black women who suffer from hypertension and overweight women who suffer from hypertension. Although high blood pressure can’t be cured, it can be controlled with diet, exercise and if necessary specific medication. Hypertension is a risk factor that is present throughout life and requires along-term effective control. This means that a women’s blood pressure and among other things should be regularly checked and if needed get proper medication.
Cholesterol levels are also associated with a person's cardiovascular risk. Doctors look at the relationship between levels of LDL, HDL and fats, than determine the relationship between them and the total cholesterol level. Before...