Women's Coronary Health

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month

© Jennifer Gerics

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month, but this problem is a global concern for women. The number one killer of women can be prevented with proper action.

Welcome to February, which is National Heart Disease Awareness Month. But this campaign is not just for the United States: heart disease prevention is the world's problem, especially with increased sedentary lifestyles and increased fast food intake among adults. Alarmingly, heart disease is the number one cause of death among women.

On February 1st, we were asked to wear red to show support for heart disease awareness. The red dress became a symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002. Today, it's important to recognize the risks for women's heart disease, and to actively work towards its prevention and cure.

Definition of Heart Disease

Heart disease consists of many disorders that prevent normal heart functioning. Some are congenital (existing since birth) and some develop during a lifetime. Some affect the structure and function of the heart, while some affect the structure and function of the adjoining arteries.

The purpose of Heart Disease Awareness Month is to address the most common, preventable forms of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery disease, or the disorder of the adjoining blood vessels that lead to the heart. Unfortunately, CAD causes these vital arteries to become blocked with plaque, leading to heart attacks and even death.

Women's Heart Disease Risk Factors

While various types of heart disease are congenital or structural (thereby being less avoidable), coronary artery disease is the result of plaque buildup in vital blood vessels. If the disease is acquired or developed, like CAD, certain factors can cause it or worsen an already existing condition. These include:

Risk factors should be kept in mind, and if a woman has several factors, her odds for developing heart disease increase drastically. Even if a woman has only one risk factor, she should consult with her doctor to remedy a fixable situation.

Heart Disease Prevention

Proper prevention is the best way to avoid developing heart disease. Key areas to focus on include:

References:

The American Heart Association

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute


The copyright of the article Women's Coronary Health in Women’s Health is owned by Jennifer Gerics. Permission to republish Women's Coronary Health must be granted by the author in writing.




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