Contrary to what many people believe, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading killer of both women and men – more lethal than all cancers, accidents, and drug addictions. Nearly 500,000 women in the United States die each year from cardiovascular disease.
CVD isn't something you either have or don't have. It exists on a continuum. Every woman (and man) is somewhere on the continuum.
CVD can be treated, and the aggressiveness of the treatment should be linked to the level of risk a woman has for a heart attack in the next 10 years.
The American Heart Association has published guidelines for preventing heart disease and stroke in women.
Risk Levels and Recommendations
The first step in preventing or managing heart disease is to identify your risk level. Your medical care team should determine these risk levels. Do not diagnose or treat yourself.
Risk levels are based on standardized testing developed for the long-term Framingham Heart Study. Treatment and management guidelines for each level include, but are not restricted to, the following list:
Low Risk – There is less than a 10 percent chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years. These women have few if any identified risk factors.
- Stop smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Choose a heart-healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Achieve a healthy blood pressure (lower than 120/80)
Intermediate Risk – There is a 10-20 percent chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years. These women have more than one risk but no serious diagnosis of CVD.
- Stop smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Achieve a healthy blood pressure (lower than 120/80)
- Begin aspirin therapy if there is a serious CVD risk
High Risk – There is more than a 20 percent chance of heart attack in the next 10 years. These women would be diagnosed with CVD or CHD (coronary heart disease, one type of CVD) and have multiple risks.
- Stop smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Achieve a healthy blood pressure (lower than 120/80)
- Begin aspirin therapy
- Use ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers
- Use cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Use Warfarin™, if prescribed, for high stroke risk
Hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women at any risk level.
Bottom Line
The research evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that CVD can be identified and prevented in women (and men). See your doctor, assess your risks, and take care of your heart.
For more information:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
American Heart Association |
