With better medical research of heart disease in women, we now know that the effects of common heart problems in men and women can be quite different.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is good to know that the healthy habits that prevent heart disease do so equally in both sexes.
This premise may come as a shock to many people. It seems it has always been taught that common heart problems are common mostly in men. That’s why so much research has had such a male influence. Now, however, we find this is not true for women somewhere around age 65 and older.
Men tend to have heart disease seven or eight years earlier than women but after the age of sixty-five the risk is roughly even. According to a study, heart disease is the number killer of women of 65 or more of age. In addition, even with all types of cancer combined, American women are four to six times more likely to die of heart disease than cancer.
Studies have shown that heart attacks from heart disease cause more deaths in woman than in men. This could be caused by woman not recognizing the symptoms which vary from those typical for men, delaying diagnosis and treatment, having smaller vessels or being more susceptible to damage. Given the lower survival rate for women after a heart attack, additional research is necessary to determine the cause and find solutions.
Unfortunately, we can not change our genes. It is important to always make sure that your doctor has an accurate family history, especially for women. But there are a number of things that women can control in order to lower the risk of heart disease. Women, for example, should not smoke tobacco especially if on birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Proper diet should lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but if it doesn’t, your doctor may prescribe a medication. Discuss it thoroughly and follow your doctor’s advice. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check is really important.
Eating good foods (and eliminating bad foods) will improve your heart health. In fact it will help your whole body. With exercise, it will help you maintain a proper body weight which will not only help your heart, but will fight off strokes and diabetes.
At least three times a week spend a minimum of twenty minutes doing healthy aerobic exercises. Bicycle riding, walking or swimming will raise your heart rate and cause you to break into a sweat. This will greatly reduce your stress and also contribute to your general health and a healthy heart.