We used to think of heart disease as a man’s problem. Now we know that it is the number one killer of women, just as it is of men. Yet women are more likely than men to be both underdiagnosed and undertreated. Fortunately, you have the power to impact your heart health in many ways! Commit to a healthy lifestyle that includes heart-healthy eating, regular physical activity, and not smoking. Understand the warning signs of a heart attack, because they can be different for women than for men. Let your doctor be your partner in helping you. And no matter how old you are, take action to protect your heart.
A woman’s disease
Many women may not be aware that they are at risk of heart disease. Many doctors also make the mistake of think-ing that heart disease strikes men more often than women. In fact, some research shows that doctors are more likely to diagnose and treat heart disease in a man than a woman, even if the two have the same symptoms.Another problem is that until about 15 years ago, women were often not includ-ed in heart disease research. We assumed that the results of research involving men applied to women as well. Now we know this is not the case.Still, we have learned a lot about heart disease in women—how to find out if you have the disease, how to treat it, and, most important, how to prevent it.
Many women may not be aware that they are at risk of heart disease. Many doctors also make the mistake of think-ing that heart disease strikes men more often than women. In fact, some research shows that doctors are more likely to diagnose and treat heart disease in a man than a woman, even if the two have the same symptoms.Another problem is that until about 15 years ago, women were often not includ-ed in heart disease research. We assumed that the results of research involving men applied to women as well. Now we know this is not the case.Still, we have learned a lot about heart disease in women—how to find out if you have the disease, how to treat it, and, most important, how to prevent it.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
When people talk about heart disease, they usually mean coronary artery dis-ease (CAD). It is the most common type of heart disease. With CAD, plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the heart. Over time, this buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, called atherosclerosis (a-thuh-roh-skluh-ROH-suhss). When this hap-pens, the heart does not get all the blood it needs. This can lead to:l Angina (an-JEYE-nuh)—chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart doesn’t get enough blood.l Heart attack—happens when a clot mostly or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Without blood the heart will start to die. If a person survives a heart attack, the injured area of the heart muscle is re-placed by scar tissue. This weakens the pumping action of the heart.
When people talk about heart disease, they usually mean coronary artery dis-ease (CAD). It is the most common type of heart disease. With CAD, plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the heart. Over time, this buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, called atherosclerosis (a-thuh-roh-skluh-ROH-suhss). When this hap-pens, the heart does not get all the blood it needs. This can lead to:l Angina (an-JEYE-nuh)—chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart doesn’t get enough blood.l Heart attack—happens when a clot mostly or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Without blood the heart will start to die. If a person survives a heart attack, the injured area of the heart muscle is re-placed by scar tissue. This weakens the pumping action of the heart.
How Your Heart Works
Your heart is a fist-sized muscle in the middle of your chest. An electrical system regulates its pumping action. With each heartbeat, blood is pumped through a large network of blood vessels. The blood supplies oxygen and nutrients to all the cells. It also picks up carbon dioxide and waste products from the cells. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all the parts of the body. The coronary arteries supply fresh blood to the heart itself, so it can work. Blood ves-sels that return blood from the body to the heart are called veins (vayns).The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria (AY-tree-uh). The two lower chambers are called ventricles. A system of inlet and outlet valves works to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
Your heart is a fist-sized muscle in the middle of your chest. An electrical system regulates its pumping action. With each heartbeat, blood is pumped through a large network of blood vessels. The blood supplies oxygen and nutrients to all the cells. It also picks up carbon dioxide and waste products from the cells. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all the parts of the body. The coronary arteries supply fresh blood to the heart itself, so it can work. Blood ves-sels that return blood from the body to the heart are called veins (vayns).The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria (AY-tree-uh). The two lower chambers are called ventricles. A system of inlet and outlet valves works to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
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