Women and Heart Disease: Be Proactive for Prevention
Women's increased risk for developing
cardiovascular disease has become a hot topic
in the field of cardiology – particularly
since the American
Heart Association launched the Go
Red for Women movement in February of 2004.
Since then, many American women have become more
aware of the signs and symptoms of heart disease
and how their symptoms differ from those of men.
Even more important than awareness, however,
is that women be proactive and take steps to
reduce their risk for heart disease, even before
symptoms occur. Three of Penn's female
cardiologists weigh in on how women
can decrease their risk for heart disease – starting
this month – and establish good cardiovascular
health throughout the year.
“I think that it is important to emphasize that despite the statistics, most women don't view heart disease as their greatest threat, but rather breast cancer. To raise awareness that indeed heart disease is the number one killer among men and women is to raise awareness of risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms of heart disease. Importantly, smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of cardiovascular disease among women. Also, heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. Among U.S. women, obesity is a worsening problem.”
Helene Glassberg, MD
Preventive Cardiologist
Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania
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“More women should take
proactive steps in their healthcare and seek options to improve their quality of life in battling arrhythmias and other cardiac diseases. Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm disorder that affects both men and women, but men undergo alternative therapies for atrial fibrillation, such as ablation, more commonly than women, and one of the main reasons for this discrepancy is the failure to detect the problem and seek therapy. I'd like to see more women seek health care options and be considered for procedures that are more commonly offered to men as therapeutic options.”
Rupa Bala, MD
Electrophysiologist
Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania
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Prevention, Risk Factors,
Proactive Steps – February
is American Heart month, and there is no better
time for women to take the words of Penn cardiologists
to heart and reduce their risk for heart disease.
Many risk factors* for heart disease can be controlled, such as:
- High blood pressure – This condition can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Smoking – If you smoke, your risk of developing coronary heart disease is two to four times that of nonsmokers. Smoking is also a major preventable cause of stroke.
- High cholesterol – The higher your total blood cholesterol, the greater your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Physical inactivity – Lack of physical activity increases your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Obesity
or being overweight – If you have
excess body fat, especially at the
waist, you're more likely to develop
heart disease or have a stroke.
- Diabetes – Having diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, especially if your blood sugar is not controlled.
Women can also monitor their cardiovascular health by paying close attention to important numbers*, such as:
Factor |
Goal |
Total Cholesterol |
Less than 200 mg/dL |
LDL (“Bad”) Cholesterol |
LDL cholesterol goals vary.
- People who are at low risk for heart disease: <160 mg/dL
- People at intermediate risk for heart disease: <130 mg/dL
- People at high risk for heart disease including those who have heart disease or diabetes: <100 mg/dL (Some high-risk patients will have a goal of <70 mg/dL.)
|
HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol |
50 mg/dL or higher |
Triglycerides |
<150 mg/dL |
Blood Pressure |
<120/80 mmHg |
Fasting Glucose |
<100 mg/dL |
Body Mass Index (BMI) |
<25 Kg/m² |
Waist Circumference |
<35 inches |
Exercise |
Minimum of 30 minutes most days, if not all days of the week |
For more information on how to reduce your risk
for cardiovascular disease, or to make an appointment
with Drs. Bala, Demopoulos, Glassberg or another
University of Pennsylvania Health System cardiologist,
please call 1-800-789-PENN (7366). You can also
request an appointment
online.
*Source: The American Heart Association: www.goredforwomen.org
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