As many as 8 million women in the United States are living with heart disease today. Although women are not diagnosed with heart disease as often as men in women's earlier years, by the time women reach the age of 65, the risk factor is the same as a man's. A heart attack in women is also twice as likely to be fatal than it is for a man. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent heart disease in women.
Determine your genetic link to heart disease.
There is a higher risk of heart disease in people who have family members that have previously been diagnosed with the condition. Male family members who develop the condition by 55 and female family members diagnosed by 55 raise the risk for heart disease in children and siblings. Let your doctor know about your family history of heart disease, so you receive all the necessary screenings to detect the beginnings of cardiovascular disease, when treatment is still effective. For example, your doctor may give you medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, or he may recommend diet and exercise changes to lower your risk factors.
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Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.
For women in the middle years of life, weight gain is a common occurrence. However, excess pounds increase the likelihood of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Women are typically considered overweight if their waistline exceeds 35 inches (88.9 cm). Even reducing your weight by 10 percent can offer significant health benefits.
Determine your genetic link to heart disease.
There is a higher risk of heart disease in people who have family members that have previously been diagnosed with the condition. Male family members who develop the condition by 55 and female family members diagnosed by 55 raise the risk for heart disease in children and siblings. Let your doctor know about your family history of heart disease, so you receive all the necessary screenings to detect the beginnings of cardiovascular disease, when treatment is still effective. For example, your doctor may give you medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, or he may recommend diet and exercise changes to lower your risk factors.
Image titled Prevent Heart Disease in Women Step 1Bullet1
Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.
For women in the middle years of life, weight gain is a common occurrence. However, excess pounds increase the likelihood of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Women are typically considered overweight if their waistline exceeds 35 inches (88.9 cm). Even reducing your weight by 10 percent can offer significant health benefits.
