6 Risk For Heart Attack or Stroke in Women

If you're like most women, you don't think about heart attacks and strokes. But heart disease is the number 1 killer of women and number 3 million women die every year from this problem.

 

Someone in your family may be affected at some point. Although it can often be controlled and prevented, it can be debilitating if not detected and treated early.

 

First, you must be aware of your risk factors. Some of you can change, and some of you can't. Ask your doctor about your risk, what you can do to prevent it, and what treatment is right for you and your condition. Some things to consider if you are at risk of heart attack or stroke:

 

1. Age and gender - Women over 50 are at greater risk.

 

2. Family history - if anyone in your family has had a heart attack or stroke.

 

3. Medical history of heart disease or stroke - heart disease, leg artery, or red blood cell count.

 

4. Blood Pressure - High blood pressure can increase and increase risk factors.

 

5. Both drinking and tobacco are known factors.

 

6. Cholesterol - This can contribute to your symptoms and the medications you take.

 

7. Physical activity - try to be active for at least 30 minutes every day.

 

8. Being overweight - If you are more than 20 pounds, you can increase your risk.

 

9. Diabetes - If you have diabetes and are taking medication, you need to know so that the doctor can evaluate the necessary steps.

 

Heart Attack and Stroke - Women's Risk

 

Things you can't control:

 

1. Sex

 

2. Age

 

3. Heritage and race

 

4. Previous heart attack or stroke

 

Things you can control:

 

1. Tobacco and alcohol - When you quit smoking, your risk starts to decrease and may be as low as a non-smoker's risk.

 

2. Physical activity - walking, cycling, or moderate exercise.

 

3. High blood pressure - you may or may not experience symptoms.

 

4. High Cholesterol - Start by exercising, eating less saturated fat, and losing weight.

 

5. Overweight or obesity - a BMI of 30 or higher for obese and 25-29.9 for obese.

 

6. Diabetes - Middle-aged women aged 45-64 with diabetes are 3-7 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease.

 

Tomorrow I will talk about your risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, what to do if you have them, and what to do next.