Know Your Risk Before It Strikes
Your arteries could be hiding early disease. Find out today.
Large studies published this year reveal an alarming trend: women are up to three times more likely to die after a heart attack than men, largely due to unequal care and treatment.
Women are less likely to receive the same risk-factor assessments and diagnostic tests for cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to women being 50% more likely to be initially misdiagnosed.
After a heart attack, women are less likely to receive procedures to reopen blocked arteries, such as stents or bypass surgery, and medications to reduce risk for a second heart attack, such as statins or aspirin, despite guidelines calling for these treatments to be prescribed for both genders.
Part of the problem is the lingering myth that CVD is mainly a problem for men. In reality, it is the leading killer of both men and women, often from heart attacks or strokes, claiming more female lives than all forms of cancer combined.
Another fact: 64% of women who die suddenly from a heart attack were previously unaware that they had CVD.
The key takeaway is that women need to be their own advocates for optimal cardiovascular care and take action NOW to avoid heart attacks and strokes.
Here are the BaleDoneen Method’s top ten prevention tips, drawn from a recent women’s heart health presentation by Dr. Amy Doneen.
1. Get Educated About Heart Attack Prevention for Women
Every 43 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack, and on average, one American dies from a stroke every four minutes.
As discussed in the BaleDoneen book Beat the Heart Attack Gene, all heart attacks and strokes are potentially preventable — even if you have already suffered one or more of these events.
Our method uses advanced lab and imaging tests to directly check each patient for hidden signs of arterial disease, including a painless ultrasound exam of the neck arteries.
If plaque is found in your arteries, you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke and need optimal care.
Also ask your medical provider to check you for cardiovascular red flags, including female heart attack risks and cardiac risk factors for women.
2. Move More to Reduce Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms Risk
Exercise has powerful mental and physical benefits and can lower heart attack risk by up to 50% for those with genetic risk.
The American Heart Association and the BaleDoneen Method recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, such as walking, biking, swimming, or jogging.
Workouts that target belly fat can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and other causes in women that raise heart disease risk.
Always check with your medical provider before starting a new program.
3. Follow a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
An optimal lifestyle can reduce CVD and stroke risk by up to 90%.
Shake the sugar habit, since a high-sugar diet can triple the risk for fatal CVD, while eating more fruits and vegetables has the opposite effect.
Maintain a healthy weight. Even losing 7–10 pounds can lower type 2 diabetes risk by 70%, which is a major heart disease risk factor for women.
Manage stress, since studies show that psychological strain can nearly triple heart attack risk.
4. No Nicotine for Better Women’s Heart Attack Recovery
Smoking and other nicotine use cause one in three deaths from CVD.
Even one cigarette daily increases risk for heart attack, stroke, and early death.
Women who smoke may die up to 19 years sooner than nonsmokers.
Secondhand smoke also causes thousands of deaths each year from stroke.
5. Check Blood Pressure Regularly
High blood pressure is one of the leading cardiac risk factors for women and is a major cause of stroke.
A large study found that each 10 mm Hg drop in blood pressure cut heart attack risk by 50%.
Discuss your numbers with your provider and be aware of updated blood pressure guidelines.
6. Get Checked for All Dangerous Types of Cholesterol
Standard cholesterol panels don’t measure lipoprotein(a), which can triple heart attack risk in women.
Statins don’t work well for this disorder, but other treatments exist.
If your results are normal, this test only needs to be done once in your lifetime.
7. Screen for Pre-Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is the root cause of 70% of heart attacks.
The gold standard screening test is the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which is covered by most health plans.
If detected early, pre-diabetes can often be reversed with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.
8. Maintain Gum Health for Heart Disease Prevention in Women
Gum disease due to high-risk oral bacteria can actually cause cardiovascular disease.
See your dentist at least twice a year, and follow a home care routine to disinfect your mouth and reduce heart attack risk.
9. Sleep Well to Reduce Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms
Adults who sleep fewer than six hours per night are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Aim for six to eight hours of quality rest each night.
10. Share What You Learn
Tell friends and loved ones about heart attack prevention for women and the steps they can take to protect themselves.
Raising awareness could save lives.
About the Author: Carol
