Women and Heart Health
A popular news station recently reported that women were much less likely to receive the same degree of care for heart problems as men when brought to a hospital, even if they arrive having a heart attack.
Add to this new research that shows that many women with heart disease are less likely to receive the cardiac defibrillators that could potentially save their lives, and many women start to wonder what they can do to ensure their own heart health.
First off, women need to be aware of any risk factors they might have for cardiac complications. Many believe, falsely, that cardiovascular disease affects only men.
Consider the following:
- Women are more likely to die from stroke than men
- The risk of heart disease rises with age, in both men and women
- Low levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) tend to be stronger predictors of potential death from heart disease in women
- Engaging in regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is a stronger predictor of heart disease in women than it is in men.
- Diagnosis of heart disease in women is more challenging than in men
- More women die from cardiovascular disease than from breast or lung cancer
- Minority women are more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease than Caucasian women
- More women than men die within a year of a heart attack
Women need to take better care of their hearts by eating healthy foods, quitting smoking, increasing their physical activity and receiving routine health care, including chiropractic care, to lower their risk of cardiovascular illness. Chiropractic care has been shown to be helpful in reducing hypertension and controlling many of the symptoms of heart disease.
Please inform us if you there is a family history of cardiovascular illness or if you would like us to address any specific concerns related to heart health at your next visit. We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have.
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