February is heart health month and while most people know that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death, you may not know that it’s also the leading cause of death for women in the United States. 1 in 4 women will die of heart disease and unlike the corresponding male population, almost two-thirds (64%) who die suddenly of coronary artery disease have no previous symptoms. Scary? You bet. The good news is that while this is daunting data there are many ways to monitor and change your individual risk of heart disease.
Important risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. Other factors include being overweight, eating a poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol use. Surprisingly, emotional components such as anxiety more commonly contribute to heart disease in women than they do in men. To decrease your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, it’s important to know your blood pressure and cholesterol status. These, along with screening for diabetes should be annually monitored by your doctor, starting at the age of 40 or younger depending on your family history and your own risk factors. An annual exam and lab work are especially important elements that allow you and your doctor to monitor your risk. Eating a heart-healthy diet and effectively managing stress are essential as well.
Please make an appointment with Dr Brenna Regan to learn heart health in women.
Please call (206)588-1061 to make an appointment.