Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. It causes one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. On average, nearly 64 women die from heart disease and stroke in Texas each day.
So during American Heart Month in February, the American Heart Association (AHA) and its Go Red For Women movement urge everyone to support the fight against female heart disease by wearing red on Friday, Feb. 6, National Wear Red Day.
“It's critically important for women to realize that heart disease can happen to them, and that everyday choices about diet and fitness make a difference,” said Dr. Sandra Illum, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano and at HeartFirst Cardiology, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice in Plano. “Women can help themselves by living healthy, active lifestyles, maintaining a healthy diet and working alongside their physician.”
Women have a higher risk for heart disease because they’re less likely to suspect heart disease in themselves — and often dismiss symptoms, according to the AHA. Women also may have symptoms that are less specific (feeling tired or short of breath, aching in their arms or jaws) and attribute these to other ailments.
While basic risk factors for heart disease are generally the same between men and women — hypertension, high cholesterol, family history, smoking and diabetes — since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and stroke, and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen, according to the AHA.
“Symptoms of cardiovascular disease may not be noticeable until the disease is advanced,” Illum said. “That’s why it’s important to have routine screenings to check for heart disease, even if you think you’re not at risk.”
It’s also essential for women to know their family history, particularly the heart health of their parents and siblings, to improve their chances of spotting and treating heart disease and diabetes early. Women with diabetes are three and a half times more likely to die from heart disease than women who don’t have diabetes — almost twice the relative risk for fatal heart disease in men with diabetes compared to those without.
“Assess your overall risk of heart disease, as that determines how aggressively risk factors like high cholesterol should be treated,” she said. “Controlling diabetes cannot be overemphasized, especially in women. It’s a giant risk factor.
“Heart disease is both preventable and controllable if women take small steps every day to improve their heart health. It’s critically important for women to recognize and monitor the risk factors for coronary artery disease with help from their physician.”
For more information, visit TexasHealth.org/Heart.
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
The American Heart Association recommends that patients know and manage their critical health numbers, which can include developing a plan with their physician that may include diet, exercise and medication.
Blood pressure — A number over 140/90 is generally considered hypertension, and may warrant medications.
Cholesterol — A routine fasting blood test can tell you your cholesterol. You want a low LDL (lousy cholesterol), and a higher HDL (healthy cholesterol). This should be discussed with your doctor, who can advise on diet and medications if needed.
Blood sugar — An elevated fasting blood sugar will diagnose diabetes.
Weight — Know your body-mass index and your waist circumference, as carrying extra weight in your belly confers a higher risk of heart disease.
Get moving — The recommendation is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise a week, but any little amount of extra activity helps. Studies show that the more you exercise, the less likely you are to die of heart disease, regardless of whether it helps you lose weight.
— Dr. Sandra Illum, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
About Texas Health Physicians Group
For more information about THPG, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-916-8080 or visit THPG.org. Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees of the hospital or Texas Health Resources.
About Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL or visit TexasHealth.org/Plano.