Arteries that are clogged and hardened by cholesterol and fatty buildup restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. Chest pain (angina) occurs because the heart is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. When blood supply is cut off entirely, heart attack can result.
“Myo” means muscle and cardial refers to the heart. Infarction means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply. Heart attack is myocardial infarction, and it causes permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over age 25 in the United States. It claims the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined. One in four women has some form of cardiovascular disease, yet only 13 percent of women identify it as the greatest health problem they face.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America, and many women don’t recognize symptoms other than chest pain. In women, common signs include nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath. Women should take proactive steps like stress imaging studies and knowing risk factors.
Women with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease. Deaths from heart and blood vessel disease in women with diabetes has increased by 23 percent in the last 30 years. More than 9.3 million women have diabetes, yet one-third of them don’t know it. The disease can be managed.
Reviewed: 04/10