Why do we need to be aware of heart disease in women?
Heart disease is normally thought of as a “men’s disease”; however, statistically women are affected as much as men are. Signs and symptoms in women are not necessarily the classic symptoms of chest pain. Many women experience no signs or symptoms until they have heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014a).
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, affecting one in every four women in the United States. In Iowa, heart disease accounts for 31.4% of the deaths, with 12 women dying from heart disease or stroke each day. In 2009, 3,485 women died from heart disease (American Heart Association [AHA], 2012). …show more content…
Symptoms of heart arrhythmia, which is when the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat changes, may include a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in their chest called palpitations (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014a). .
How is heart disease diagnosed?
Heart disease is diagnosed based on family and medical histories, physical exam, risk factors, and results from testing and procedures.
There is no single test that can diagnosis heart disease. An electrocardiogram (tracing of the heart beat), a stress test (testing may produce symptoms through monitored exercising), an echocardiograph (a moving picture of the heart), blood testing (checking fats, sugar, and proteins in the blood), and cardiac catheterization may be ordered to assist in diagnosis (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014b).
What are the risk factors for heart disease in women?
_High blood pressure
_High cholesterol
_Diabetes
_Smoking
_Being overweight
_Being physically …show more content…
Education and changing risk factors that are modifiable such as smoking, weight, diet, activity, high blood pressure, and effectively controlling diabetes and cholesterol levels. Some factors such as age, history of preeclampsia, and family history of heart disease cannot be changed; however, making life style modifications can reduce the overall risk. By increasing activity, eating a healthy diet, and being aware of your numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars may reduce the risk of heart disease (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014b).
A Healthy Diet and Exercise
Eating a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups and reducing calorie intake will assist in reducing heart disease. By making better food choices such as eating, a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and using non-tropical vegetable oils is essential in reducing risk (American Heart Association [AHA],
Heart disease is normally thought of as a “men’s disease”; however, statistically women are affected as much as men are. Signs and symptoms in women are not necessarily the classic symptoms of chest pain. Many women experience no signs or symptoms until they have heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014a).
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, affecting one in every four women in the United States. In Iowa, heart disease accounts for 31.4% of the deaths, with 12 women dying from heart disease or stroke each day. In 2009, 3,485 women died from heart disease (American Heart Association [AHA], 2012). …show more content…
Symptoms of heart arrhythmia, which is when the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat changes, may include a feeling of fluttering or skipped beats in their chest called palpitations (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014a). .
How is heart disease diagnosed?
Heart disease is diagnosed based on family and medical histories, physical exam, risk factors, and results from testing and procedures.
There is no single test that can diagnosis heart disease. An electrocardiogram (tracing of the heart beat), a stress test (testing may produce symptoms through monitored exercising), an echocardiograph (a moving picture of the heart), blood testing (checking fats, sugar, and proteins in the blood), and cardiac catheterization may be ordered to assist in diagnosis (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014b).
What are the risk factors for heart disease in women?
_High blood pressure
_High cholesterol
_Diabetes
_Smoking
_Being overweight
_Being physically …show more content…
Education and changing risk factors that are modifiable such as smoking, weight, diet, activity, high blood pressure, and effectively controlling diabetes and cholesterol levels. Some factors such as age, history of preeclampsia, and family history of heart disease cannot be changed; however, making life style modifications can reduce the overall risk. By increasing activity, eating a healthy diet, and being aware of your numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars may reduce the risk of heart disease (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NIH], 2014b).
A Healthy Diet and Exercise
Eating a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups and reducing calorie intake will assist in reducing heart disease. By making better food choices such as eating, a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and using non-tropical vegetable oils is essential in reducing risk (American Heart Association [AHA],