Heart
Disease is the leading cause of death in Two Rivers Public Health Department. When comparing the women in TRPHD to those in
Nebraska:
- More women have been told
they have had a heart attack or that they have heart disease.
- More women have
high cholesterol and fewer have had it checked.
Here
are some myths about women and heart
disease:
Myth: Heart disease is for men, and cancer is the real
threat for women.
Fact: Heart disease strikes more women than
men, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. While 1 in 31
American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1-3 women die of heart
disease.
Myth: Heart disease is for old people.
Fact: Heart disease affects women of all
ages. The combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease
risks by 20 percent. Overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can also increase risk.
Myth: Heart disease doesn't affect women who are fit.
Fact: Factors like cholesterol, eating habits
and smoking can counterbalance your other healthy habits like regular exercise.
You can be thin and have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Work with
your doctor to manage these factors.
Myth: I don't have any symptoms.
Fact: 64 percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease
had no previous symptoms. Women are somewhat more likely to experience shortness
of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. Women should look out for
dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, pain in the lower chest or upper
abdomen and extreme fatigue.
Myth: Heart disease runs in my family, so there's nothing
I can do about it.
Fact: Although women with a family history of
heart disease are at higher risk, there's plenty you can do to dramatically
reduce it. Make these recommendations part of your life:
