Are women at risk?
Women, like men, are at risk for heart disease and heart attacks. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over 65 years. The probability that American women are dying of heart disease is four to six times more than they do of dying from breast cancer. Heart disease kills more women over 65 than all cancers combined. Women develop heart problems later than men, typically seven to eight years later. However, more or less at the age of 65 years the risk of a woman is almost equal to man.

What do I need to know about heart disease and heart attacks?
Women are less likely to survive heart attacks than men. It may be that women do not seek or receive treatment as soon as man. Or it may be because the hearts and blood vessels of women are smaller and more easily damaged. Doctors are trying to find answers to these questions. However, there is no doubt that it makes more sense to prevent heart problems before they start.

What can I do to protect myself?
Both for men and for women the main factors contributing to heart disease are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease and age. Take a moment to assess your lifestyle, family history and your overall health. With this information, you and your family doctor can assess your risk and make a plan to avoid potential problems. Although you can not do much about your family history or your age, you can make changes in your lifestyle to avoid many of the other risk factors (see below).


No smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease in women. More than half of heart attacks in women under age 50 are related to smoking. If you stop smoking, within two years can reduce a third of their risk of having a heart attack. Women who smoke and use birth control pills increase your risk even more. A variety of products to help you quit smoking. You can try using nicotine skin patches or nicotine gum: these types of medicines are available without prescription. There are also medications available that are obtained with a prescription that can help you quit smoking. Ask your doctor about the best way for you to stop smoking. Breathing smoke from someone else’s cigarettes is also bad for your heart and lungs. If you live with someone who smokes, encourage him or her to quit.
Control your blood pressure. Getting treatment for high blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Losing weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are ways to control high blood pressure. Reducing how much salt you consume can also help. If these steps do not lower your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend medication you take.
Control your cholesterol level. If you do not know your cholesterol level, ask your doctor to check it. Diet is a key part in lowering cholesterol levels. However, some people may have to take medicine in addition to dietary changes and exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries. Exercise and a diet low in fat can help you lose weight. Being overweight means that you have a higher risk for many other health problems, especially diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about a safe and effective weight loss.
Exercise regularly. Remember, your heart is a muscle. Needs regular exercise to stay fit. Aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging or biking, gives your heart the best workout. When exercising indoors you can also use fitness equipment like exercise bikes, electric bands endless calls and ski machines. Find a buddy to exercise may make it easier and safer for you to exercise often. You must make at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise four to six times a week. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Eat a diet low in fat. Keep fat calories to 30% or less of total calories you eat during the day and avoid saturated fat and fat in meats and coconut oil. Information is available to help you make healthy choices. For example, bring food labels list nutrition information including calories from fat, many cookbooks have heart-healthy recipes, and some restaurants serve dishes low in fat.
Care of diabetes. If you have diabetes, regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and regular doctor visits are important. If you need to take medicine for diabetes, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you.
Be aware of chest pain. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have chest pain, shoulder, neck or jaw. Also notify your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or nausea that comes on suddenly. If you’re having a heart attack, the faster you can get to the hospital the less damage it will do to the heart. Every second counts.
Know your family medical history. Having a father or brother with heart disease before age 55, or a mother or sister with heart disease before age 65, are factors that Contribute to Heart Disease. Tell your doctor about your family history.

Will medicine lower my risk of heart disease and heart attacks?
The cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce risk of heart attacks in men. However, there is insufficient evidence to show that these medicines work as well in women who have never had a heart attack. If you have already had a heart attack, drugs to lower cholesterol can reduce your risk of having another heart attack.
Taking an aspirin every day may lower your risk of problems if you have coronary artery disease, heart attack or angina. Aspirin makes your blood thinner, so it is less likely to make a blood clot. However, aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and other problems. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease and whether you should consider taking aspirin.
Angina is chest pain caused by a sudden decrease in blood supply to the heart. Medicines called statins, beta blockers (beta blockers) probably can help if you have heart problems. Ask your doctor if any of these medicines are right for you.

What about hormone replacement therapy can reduce my risk of heart disease?
No. The estrogen replacement therapy, also called hormone replacement therapy can help reduce at least the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, ie, the weakening of the bones. It was once thought that hormone replacement therapy HRT could also help protect against heart disease. New studies have shown that when it comes to heart health, HRT actually does more harm than good. If you’re taking HRT to help prevent heart disease, talk to your doctor about whether you should stop taking it.

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