February is Go Red For Women month. The month creates awareness for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women across the world. Differences in age, important risk factors and symptoms are often reasons women are approached differently and treated less aggressively.
“Women generally present with cardiovascular disease about ten years later than men, and have more comorbidities,” says McFarland Clinic Cardiologist Stuart Christenson, MD. “Risk factors such as age, smoking and abnormal cholesterol seem to be particularly important in women.”
- A personal history of heart disease
- Age over 55
- Abnormal cholesterol (high LDL and/or low HDL)
- Family history of premature heart disease (first degree male relative <55 or female <65)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Peripheral artery disease
- Moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes each day
- Avoidance and cessation of smoking
- Weight maintenance – BMI should be between 19-25, waist circumference less than 35 inches
- Eat a heart healthy diet including omega-3 fatty acids
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Attack & Angina
- Heart Healthy Eating
- The American Heart Association Heart Check