David R. Chapman, MD

Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills more women every year than any other illness.

Older, postmenopausal women have a greater risk of heart disease than younger women. Hormone Replacement Therapy may increase a postmenopausal woman's risk for heart disease. Although it may be hard to believe, cardiovascular disease accounts for twice as many deaths as cancer. It is essential that women are aware of their risk as well as the symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Postmenopausal women are advised to make lifestyle choices that will help reduce their risk for heart disease. These include:

• Quitting smoking
• Controlling high blood pressure
• Properly managing diabetes
• Lowering cholesterol
• Getting regular exercise
• Osteoporosis Screenings

According to the American Heart Association, risk factors for heart attack include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Lack of exercise
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking

A woman's risk also increases with the onset of menopause and special attention should be paid to heart disease risk factors during this life change.

If you think you are having a heart attack it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Knowing the symptoms can be lifesaving. Some of the symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Sudden and intense pressure or pain in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling light-headed, nauseous or fainting
• Pain that spreads to the upper-back, shoulders, neck, jaw or arms

If you experience any of these symptoms seek help immediately. If you think you are having a heart attack, the American Heart Association recommends chewing a regular strength tablet of aspirin in order to avoid blood clots.

Strokes

In addition to heart attacks, strokes are also very dangerous. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel. This can lead to permanent brain damage or even be fatal. Much like those for a heart attack, the risk factors for stroke include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Smoking

Because strokes happen very suddenly, it's important to know the warning signs:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, leg or arm on one side
• Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking
• Sudden trouble walking
• Sudden trouble seeing
• Sudden dizziness
• Sudden, severe headache with unknown cause

If you have any of these symptoms, seek help immediately. Women should be aware of risk factors, particularly factors within their control. With knowledge, women can take the steps necessary to protect their hearts and, in turn, their lives.

For more information, visit the following web sites: www.acog.org
www.americanheart.org

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Recognized for their dedication to women's health issues, Dr. David Chapman and Dr. Brent Baroody are committed to addressing every aspect of a woman's health to improve her quality of life.

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