Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women, killing 1 in 3 women nationally. Approximately 287 women die each year in Washington County of heart disease. Women are four to six times more likely to develop heart disease than breast cancer, unfortunately only 20% consider it their greatest health risk. Over 8,000,000 American women are currently living with heart disease, therefore it is important to know the risk factors, along with the signs and symptoms associated with the disease.

There are eight major risk factors for cardiovascular disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, being over the age of 55, and having a family history of heart disease. The majority of heart disease risk factors are controllable. Simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk by as much as 82%.

The most common major risk factor in those with heart disease is smoking. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also factors. 25% of women have high blood pressure, leading to heart failure in 2.5 million women. Women with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have heart attacks than those who do not have diabetes. Approximately 60% of women are overweight and get less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, greatly increasing their chance of heart disease.

Having a family history of heart disease and being over the age of 55 are two genetic risk factors. Women who have a father or brother who experienced a heart attack before the age of 55, or a mother or sister who had a heart attack before the age of 65 have an increased chance of developing heart disease. It is particularly important to be aware of your family history of cardiovascular disease because it is a factor often overlooked in women. Estrogen serves as protection against heart disease in women, therefore once a woman has gone through menopause her risk increases dramatically. 12.5% of women between the ages of 45-64 and 33% of women over the age of 65 have heart disease.

Women are less likely to survive a heart attack because their heart disease has not been diagnosed and treated. Many women are stoic and treat symptoms as just another ache and pain. According to Dr. Gary Papuchis, Hagerstown Heart, “There is no such thing as a stupid symptom,” so it is critical to be tested should you have any indication of the disease.

It is important to control as many of the risk factors as possible because having more than one risk factor does not simply add to your risk, it multiplies it. Your risk for heart disease can be lowered by following the Ten Commandments for a Healthy Heart as developed by The Heart Truth campaign.

1. Know your risk factors for heart disease.
2. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.
3. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
4. Know your cholesterol numbers. (These include total cholesterol, HDL or “good” cholesterol, LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides.)
5. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.
6. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
7. Eat for a healthy heart.
8. Get regular physical activity. (At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week.)
9. Aim for a healthy weight.
10. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of seeking medical help.

The Health Matters radio show episode, "Heart Disease in Women", with Gary Papuchis, M.D., is available for download as an mp3.