According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, also known as NIH, 1 in 4 women die from heart disease. It is the number 1 killer of women in the United States. It is even more deadly than cancer. Heart Disease kills 1 in 3 women every year, approximately 1 death every minute. About 5.8% of all white women, 7.6% of black women, and 5.6% of Mexican American women have coronary heart disease (2015, CDC.gov).
The most common symptom of heart disease is angina, a dull and heavy or sharp chest pain that occurs when your heart is not receiving enough oxygen. Other symptoms include aching of the throat, jaw, neck, abdomen, and the back; malaise, cough, and los of appetite. Almost two-thirds (64%) of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms (2015, CDC.gov). Typically, the risk of heart disease for women starts around menopause age (45-64). African American women are at an even greater risk for heart disease than any other ethnicity. “Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 49 percent have heart diseases.” Oftentimes there are no symptoms and some people may not become diagnosed until they have a heart attack, arrhythmia, heart failure, or stroke.
Women at greatest risk for heart disease in those:
· With diabetes
· With poor eating habits (frequent use of salt)
· With high blood pressure
· That have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
· That frequently smoke or previously smoked
· With lack of physical activity
· With poor eating habits (frequent use of salt)
· Who are obese
· Gone through menopausal hormone therapy
· That use alcohol excessively
Scientists have found that a certain gene in African-Americans make them more sensitive to the effects of salt, which increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to heart disease. Not to mention, there are higher rates of diabetes and obesity in African-American’s, which also puts them at a much higher risk for heart disease. 49% of African-American women the age of 20 or older have heart disease and only 52% of these women are aware of the signs and symptoms.
In conclusion, heart disease affects a variety of women and can be hard to diagnose if they are not having any symptoms. It is important for these women, especially those of African-American decent to try and reduce salt intake and live a healthier lifestyle to reduce the chances of getting heart disease, It’s also important for women who have heart disease in their family to get frequent checkups with their healthcare provider.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, November 30). Women and Heart Disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_women_heart.htm
Go Red for Women. (n.d.). Facts About Heart Disease in Women. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts-about-heart-disease/
Go Red For Women. (n.d.). Heart Disease in African-American Women. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/facts_about_heart_disease_in_women-sub-category/african-american-women/
Go Red for Women. (n.d.). Heart Disease Research. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/about-heart-disease-in-women/research/
Guarneri, M., MD, FACC, ABIHM, & Oberg, E., ND, MP. (2015, November 20). Heart Disease in Women (M. C. Stöppler, MD, Ed.). Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_disease_in_women/article.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2014, July 29). Heart disease. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167
National Institutes of Health. (2014, April 21). What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease? Retrieved April 17, 2016, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/signs
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