Q: My father had a heart attack. As a woman, am I at risk – and if so, how can I protect my heart?
A: You are wise to be thinking about heart health. The No. 1 cause of death among American women is cardiovascular disease, the build-up of plaque in arteries supplying the heart (coronary artery disease); the pelvis, legs and feet (peripheral artery disease); and/or the brain (carotid artery disease).
The first things to do are to eliminate any preventable risk factors:
Eat a high-fat diet? Trim the fat, and add fiber.
Lead a sedentary life? Start getting 30 to 60 minutes of cardio exercise at least five days a week.
Love salty food? Stow the salt shaker and starting checking sodium content on food labels.
Smoke or chew tobacco? Ask your doctor for help in quitting.
Overweight? Consult your doctor about your optimal weight and a good weight-loss plan.
Drink too much? Limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage a day (for women as well as men).
Live in constant stress? Eliminate unnecessary pressures and seek better means of coping.
To address non-preventable cardiovascular risk factors (a family history of heart disease or stroke, or a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or high blood pressure), your doctor may recommend daily aspirin. Aspirin thins the blood and prevents the formation of clots, a key culprit in plaque build-up. But aspirin use is complicated.
The American Heart Association recommends daily aspirin starting at:
Age 40 - for those with diabetes plus one other risk factor
Age 45 - for those with two or more cardiovascular risk factors
Age 65 - for others
Your doctor may recommend a dose ranging from 75 mg (baby-aspirin strength) to 162 mg (the strength of half an adult aspirin). However, if you are at risk of hemorrhagic stroke, ulcer or other problems, aspirin may not be right for you.
By Leslie Cho, MD, Head of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation, and Director of the Women's Cardiovascular Center in the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute.
Related Content
Cleveland Clinic Women’s Cardiovascular Center
Metabolic Syndrome
Stress Management and Women
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s assessment and medical judgment.
