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Women & Heart
Disease
Heart disease isn't just a man's
disease. Heart attack,
stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are devastating to women,
too. In fact, coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack,
is the leading cause of death for women.
What are the risk factors for
heart disease and stroke?
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Increasing age:
The loss of natural
estrogen as women age may contribute to higher risk after
menopause.
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Sex (Gender):
Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women, and
they have attacks earlier in life. Overall, the incidence and
prevalence of stroke are about equal for men and women. However,
more than half of total stroke deaths occurs in women.
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Heredity (family
history): Both women and men are more likely to develop heart
disease or stroke if their close blood relatives have had them.
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Previous heart
attack or stroke or TIA:
Women who've had a heart attack are at higher risk of having a
second heart attack or a stroke. Women who've had a stroke are
at much higher risk of having another one or having a heart
attack. A transient ischemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke") also
is a risk factor and predictor of stroke.
Most
risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled by focusing on
lifestyle habits and taking medicine, if needed.
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Tobacco
smoke
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High blood cholesterol
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High blood pressure
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Physical inactivity
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Obesity and overweight
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Diabetes mellitus
What other factors
contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke in women?
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