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Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. American women are four to six times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer.
Women develop heart problems typically seven or eight years later in life than men; however, by age 65 the risk is equal. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. This is called coronary artery disease and happens slowly over time, and it’s the major reason people have heart attacks.
Women are less likely to survive heart attacks than men. It may be that women don’t seek treatment as soon as men or it that their smaller hearts and blood vessels are more easily damaged. The biggest factors that contribute to heart disease are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history and age. Prevent heart disease by exercising regularly, losing weight, eating a low-fat diet, taking care of diabetes, being aware of chest pain, and knowing your family history.
Physician interview: Dr. Richard Milani, Preventive Cardiologist