Did you know that this Friday was a National Wear Red Day, raising awareness about the risk of stroke, heart attack, STEMI, artery disease, and heart disease in women? Although heart disease is a number one killer in women, 80 percent of infarctions and strokes can be prevented. Wearing red is a reminder for women to take their cardiac health seriously.
This week’s roundup presents the most recent news to promote heart health and prompt women to take preventative actions. Wear red for the National Wear Red Day, stay alert for the signs of heart illness, and schedule regular checkups as necessary. Don’t let that irregular heartbeat go unnoticed.
Key differences between heart attacks in men and women
If women don’t recognize heart attack signs, medical intervention may be delayed, leading to complications and raising the risk of death.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women worldwide, and although survival rates have improved over time, cardiovascular deaths still remain higher in women than men. Continue reading…
Women with STEMI heart attack face higher mortality risk in hospitals than men
Women with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attack face higher mortality risk in hospitals than men. A STEMI heart attack is when the coronary artery is completely blocked off due to a blood clot, thus stopping blood flow to the affected part of the heart so it begins to die.
Researchers have found that women were less likely to receive life-saving angioplasty and stenting to restore blood flow from a STEMI heart attack compared to men. Women were also more likely to stay in hospitals for longer and have higher mortality rates in hospitals. The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
STEMI is the most deadly form of heart attack but recovery is possible with stenting and restoration of blood flow. Rates of heart attack in patients under 60 have not changed, but trends have begun emerging that reveal treatment in younger patients. Continue reading…
Heart disease, stroke risk in women higher if artery disease causing gene present
Heart disease and stroke risk in women is higher if an artery disease-causing gene is present. Heart disease is the primary cause of death within the U.S., and a person dies from a heart disease-related event every minute. To prevent heart attack it’s important to understand what increases a person’s risk.
Researchers identified a gene called BCAR1, which is involved in many processes within the body that are affected by estrogen. Researchers from the University College of London studied a group of genes which were previously linked to increased risk of artery disease. The researchers examined data from nearly 4,000 men and women, comparing their genes and artery thickness and health. Continue reading…
Irregular heartbeat threatens women more than men
Furthermore, women with atrial fibrillation have a 93 percent higher risk of death by a heart condition, 55 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack, 16 percent more likely to develop heart disease and 12 percent more likely to die from any cause in comparison to men. Continue reading…
Heart attack risk is six times higher among diabetic women smokers
According to recent research, women (under the age of 45) who smoke while suffering from diabetes are six times more likely to experience a myocardial infarction (MI). A study uncovered that young women with diabetes who experience heart attacks are much more likely to be smokers than older women who also experience MI; the research directly links smoking to risk factors for heart attack in women. Continue reading…
If you’re concerned about your heart, make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to ensure optimum results. Find out if you have any added risk factors and control any other health issues. Always be aware of the warning signs and be sure to seek medical attention immediately if you think you are experiencing a heart attack. And finally, take some time to relax and reduce your stress, maintaining a healthy mind and a healthy body.