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According to the Center for Disease Control, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death among American women. So what are you going to do about it?
What is CVD?
The American Heart Association (AHA) states that there are some causes we can control and some we can't. Those we can't include:
- Increasing age
- Gender
- Heredity
- Previous heart attack or stroke or TIA or "mini-stroke"
The Cardio Blog has information about the potential link between periodontal disease and heart attacks. I would have never thought that treating gum disease could be heart-healthy. As someone who has been diagnosed with gingivitis, I'm looking into this one carefully.
CVD factors we can control include:
- Tobacco smoke
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Pulse of the Heart has put together a brief primer on CVD and after the ivf highlights information on CVD and on National Wear Red Day, a way to show support for women's heart disease awareness, taking place on February 3, 2006.
What can we do to help ourselves?
First, check out this advice from the AHA to help women combat heart disease.
Alternative Health discusses the benefits of green tea in fighting CVD.
What about treating CVD?
Unfortunately, many women suffering from CVD are treated less aggressively than men, according to Sonia S. Anand, MD, PhD, author and researcher. In the article "Women With Chest Pain Get Less Treatment" on WebMD, Rita Redberg, MD, MSc, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center cardiologist tells author Salynn Boyles, "Physicians do treat women and men differently, even though most will tell you that they don't. Unconscious factors may affect people's judgment."
Make sure you're educated about your options and talk openly and frankly with your physician.
If you do suffer a heart attack, or "myocardial infarction," What's Good for You posts about a new technique your medical team may use to save you. She dubs it "putting 'em on ice."
Where can we get screened for CVD?
Sample Lovers Unite! has an entry about National Woman's Heart Day on February 17, 2006. Click through to find a health fair where you can get a free CVD screening, pick-up tips from chefs and trainers and learn more about heart disease.
Please note that this information cannot substitute for the advice of a medical or other health professional.
art credit: mipmup
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mipmup.
Contributing Editor, Health & Wellness
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