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Ephraim McDowell raising heart disease awareness in women

January 31, 2008|Maleena Streeval

Breast cancer may be widely feared among American women, but heart disease poses a greater risk of death for them. According to the American Heart Association, one in two women will eventually die of heart disease — the No. 1 killer of women over the age of 25 — compared to one in 25 who will eventually die of breast cancer.

Ephraim McDowell Health is observing Friday, Feb. 1, as National Wear Red Day, and encourages all individuals in the community to wear red on that day.

"The purpose of National Wear Red Day is to increase the public's awareness of heart disease and the fact that individuals can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risks for this killer disease," said Harry Nickens, spokesperson for Ephraim McDowell Health.

The U.S. Public Health Service on Women's Health notes that heart disease tends to develop in women 10 to 15 years later than it does in men. Nearly half of women who have a heart attack die within one year after their heart attack while only one-third of men do.

Generally, heart disease is not prevalent in women until after menopause because estrogen that is produced naturally in pre-menopausal women provides protection against heart disease.

Risk factors associated with heart disease include a family history, diabetes, obesity and menopause. In fact, a woman with diabetes has twice the risk of having a heart attack than a woman who does not have diabetes.

Cholesterol levels are also important for understanding a woman's risk of heart disease. The U.S. Public Health Service on Women's Health estimates that nearly 30 percent of women have cholesterol levels high enough to place them at risk for heart disease. A blood cholesterol level of 200 or higher should be monitored by a healthcare provider, as it can indicate high risk for heart disease.

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Half of all heart disease is diagnosed among people who smoke and women smokers are twice as likely to have heart disease as women who do not smoke.

To help reduce their risk of heart disease, women should follow a diet low in fat, maintain a proper weight and stay physically active.

It's also important to know the warning signs for a heart attack. Some heart attacks occur suddenly and intensely, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. The more common warning signs of a heart attack include chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Women may also experience abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, nausea and unexplained fatigue. Individuals who experience these symptoms should call 911 or go immediately to the nearest medical facility.

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