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The No. 1 Killer of Women
Heart disease and stroke kill almost half a million women in the U.S. every year. That’s one death per minute, making cardiovascular disease the No. 1 killer of women; but few women consider it their greatest health risk. Not every person is at equal risk for cardiovascular disease. The more risk factors you have, the more important it is to have a cardiac evaluation.
FAMILY HISTORY Genetics plays a role.
OBESITY extra weight makes the heart work harder and raises blood pressure and cholesterol.
AGE Four out of five people who die of heart disease are 65 or older.
RACE Black women have a greater risk than white women.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE as blood pressure rises, so does the risk of heart disease.
DIABETES diabetics have a significantly higher risk.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL as cholesterol rises, so does the risk of heart disease.
CIGARETTE SMOKING Smokers have twice the risk of heart attack as non-smokers.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Don’t ignore what could be your body’s warning signs of coronary artery disease. Heart disease affects 62 million people in the United States and is one of the primary killers of both men and women.
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Classic symptoms:
- crushing chest pressure or pain
- tingling down the left arm
- profuse sweating
- lightheadedness
Subtle symptoms:
- muscle or back aches
- neck pain
- indigestion
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
Early diagnosis and treatment is vital. When coronary arteries become clogged, blood and oxygen can’t get to the heart. Complete closure of an artery can trigger a severe or fatal heart attack.
Doctors say regular annual exams that screen blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart rhythms are the best offense in identifying potential heart trouble. For women, discuss heart-healthy issues with your doctor beginning at age 35; for men, age 40.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550
or visit find a physician online.
At St. Anthony’s, our vision is to be the area’s premier health care organization
— and your first choice for health care services.