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Despite the fact that heart disease is the number one cause of death in women in the Canada/United States, many women at risk for heart disease are undiagnosed until they have a heart attack. Many in the medical profession believe that Heart Disease is the Number on Women’s Health issue today. Only 9% of women identify heart disease as the condition they fear most, even though heart disease kills twice as many women aged 45 –65 then breast cancer.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , 375,000 women (or 1 in 3) die of heart disease every year, 3 million have had a heart attack, and two-thirds of those who have had a heart attack do not fully recover.
Black women are 69% more likely to have heart disease and are more likely to die of a heart attack before menopause. The cause for this is still under review. One thing that medical professional now know is that women should be aware of the risk factors.
Heart disease has long been thought of as "a man’s disease," and because of this widely held belief, many women are unaware of the risk factors: Being overweight, Diabetes, Family history of heart disease, High blood pressure, High cholesterol , Physical inactivity and at the top of the list is smoking.
The heart and stroke foundation recommends that eating healthy and getting regular exercise is essential to a heart healthy lifestyle. Those that have suffered a heart attack and survived are blessed with a second chance are a healthy life, some are so lucky to survive. After suffering a heart attack many patients are put on a walking program that will consist of daily walking of a couple miles. In the winter months many patients have joined other to walk in doors at the local shopping center.
Women that believe they are at risk should consult their doctor. An appropriate medical plan and diet could make the difference between long life and facing a heart attack.
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