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Heart Disease
back. It can also feel like indiges-
tion (upset stomach). Angina is
not a heart attack, but having
angina means you are more likely
In 1991, I went to the to have a heart attack.
ER with chest pains Heart attack. A heart attack
twice in one week. occurs when an artery is severely
They said it was ulcers or completely blocked, and the
(bleeding in the stom- heart does not get the blood it
ach). Then the pain needs for more than 20 minutes.
http://www.womenshealth.gov became very intense. Heart failure occurs when the heart
1-800-994-9662 Again, the ER said there was nothing is not able to pump blood through
they could do. I refused to leave and the body as well as it should. This
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
was admitted for observation. Later, the means that other organs, which nor-
doctor on duty saw my EKG and asked, mally get blood from the heart, do
Wheres the 34-year-old who had the not get enough blood. It does not
massive heart attack? I had emergency mean that the heart stops. Signs of
surgery. But the damage was done; only heart failure include:
part of my heart muscle functions. I had
to quit a job I loved, and my life is com- Shortness of breath (feeling like
pletely changed. They thought I was too you can't get enough air)
young to have a heart attack. Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
Extreme tiredness
Q: What is heart disease? Heart arrhythmias (uh-RITH-
A: Heart disease includes a number of mee-uhz) are changes in the beat
problems affecting the heart and the of the heart. Most people have
blood vessels in the heart. Types of felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or
heart disease include: had chest pains at one time. These
changes in heartbeat are harmless for
Coronary artery disease (CAD) most people. As you get older, you
is the most common type and is are more likely to have arrhythmias.
the leading cause of heart attacks. Don't panic if you have a few f lut-
When you have CAD, your arteries ters or if your heart races once in
become hard and narrow. Blood has a while. If you have f lutters and
a hard time getting to the heart, so other symptoms such as dizzi-
the heart does not get all the blood it ness or shortness of breath, call
needs. CAD can lead to: 911 right away.
Angina (an-JEYE-nuh).
Angina is chest pain or discom-
fort that happens when the heart
Q: Do women need to worry about
does not get enough blood. It heart disease?
may feel like a pressing or squeez- A: Yes. Among all U.S. women who die
ing pain, often in the chest, but each year, one in four dies of heart dis-
page 1 sometimes the pain is in the ease. In 2004, nearly 60 percent more
shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or women died of cardiovascular disease
U.S. Depar
Department
tment of Health and Human Ser
Services,
vices, Office on Women
omenss Health
Frequently Asked questions
(both heart disease and stroke) than Q: What can I do to prevent heart
from all cancers combined. The older disease?
a woman gets, the more likely she is A: You can reduce your chances of getting
to get heart disease. But women of all heart disease by taking these steps:
ages should be concerned about heart
Know your blood pressure. Years
disease. All women should take steps to
of high blood pressure can lead
prevent heart disease.
to heart disease. People with high
Both men and women have heart blood pressure often have no symp-
attacks, but more women who have toms, so have your blood pressure
heart attacks die from them. Treatments checked every 1 to 2 years and get
http://www.womenshealth.gov can limit heart damage but they must treatment if you need it.
1-800-994-9662 be given as soon as possible after a heart
Dont smoke. If you smoke, try to
attack starts. Ideally, treatment should
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 quit. If youre having trouble quit-
start within one hour of the first symp-
ting, there are products and pro-
toms.
grams that can help:
If you think youre having a heart
attack, call 911 right away. Tell the Nicotine patches and gums
operator your symptoms and that you Support groups
think you're having a heart attack.
Programs to help you stop smok-
ing
Q: Do women of color need to Ask your doctor or nurse for help.
worry about heart disease? For more information on quitting,
A: Yes. African American and Hispanic visit Quitting Smoking.
American/Latina women should be
Get tested for diabetes. People
concerned about getting heart disease
with diabetes have high blood glu-
because they tend to have more risk
cose (often called blood sugar).
factors than white women. These risk
People with high blood glucose
factors include obesity, lack of physical
often have no symptoms, so have
activity, high blood pressure, and diabe-
your blood glucose checked regu-
tes. If youre a woman of color, take
larly. Having diabetes raises your
steps to reduce your risk factors.
chances of getting heart disease. If
you have diabetes, your doctor will
decide if you need diabetes pills or
Take action to reduce heart disease
insulin shots. Your doctor can also
risk:
help you make a healthy eating and
1. Be physically active exercise plan.
2. Dont smoke Get your cholesterol and trig-
3. Eat healthy lyceride levels tested. High blood
4. Maintain a normal weight cholesterol (koh-LESS-tur-ol) can
clog your arteries and keep your
5. Know your numbers (blood pressure,
heart from getting the blood it
cholesterol, and triglycerides)
needs. This can cause a heart attack.
page 2 Triglycerides (treye-GLIH-suh-
ryds) are a form of fat in your blood Q: What does high blood pressure
stream. High levels of triglycerides have to do with heart disease?
are linked to heart disease in some A: Blood pressure is the force your blood
people. People with high blood cho- makes against the walls of your arteries.
lesterol or high blood triglycerides The pressure is highest when your heart
often have no symptoms, so have pumps blood into your arteries when
both levels checked regularly. If your it beats. It is lowest between heart beats,
levels are high, talk to your doc- when your heart relaxes. A doctor or
tor about what you can do to lower nurse will write down your blood pres-
them. You may be able to lower sure as the higher number over the
http://www.womenshealth.gov
your both levels by eating better and lower number. For instance, you could
exercising more. Your doctor may have a blood pressure of 110/70 (read as
1-800-994-9662
prescribe medication to help lower "110 over 70"). A blood pressure read-
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 your cholesterol. ing below 120/80 is usually considered
Maintain a healthy weight. Being normal. Very low blood pressure (lower
overweight raises your risk for heart than 90/60) can sometimes be a cause of
disease. Calculate your Body Mass concern and should be checked out by a
Index (BMI) to see if you are at a doctor.
healthy weight. Healthy food choices High blood pressure, or hypertension,
and physical activity are important to is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or
staying at a healthy weight: higher. Years of high blood pressure can
Start by adding more fruits, veg- damage artery walls, causing them to
etables, and whole grains to your become stiff and narrow. This includes
diet. the arteries carrying blood to the heart.
As a result, your heart cannot get the
Each week, aim to get at least 2
blood it needs to work well. This can
hours and 30 minutes of moder- cause a heart attack.
ate physical activity, 1 hour and
15 minutes of vigorous physi- A blood pressure reading of 120/80 to
cal activity, or a combination of 139/89 is considered prehypertension.
moderate and vigorous activity. This means that you don't have high
blood pressure now but are likely to
If you drink alcohol, limit it to develop it in the future.
no more than one drink (one 12
ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of
wine, or one 1.5 ounce shot of Q: How can I lower my blood pres-
hard liquor) a day. sure?
A: If you have hypertension or prehyper-
Find healthy ways to cope with
tension, you may be able to lower your
stress. Lower your stress level by
talking to your friends, exercising, or blood pressure by:
writing in a journal. losing weight if you are overweight
or obese
getting at least 2 hours and 30 min-
utes of moderate physical activity or
page 3 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous
activity each week.
page 5
Heart Healthy Diet
Other common signs of a heart attack Women are more likely than men to
include: have these other common signs of a
Pain or discomfort in one or both heart attack, particularly shortness of
arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in
the back, neck, or jaw. Women are also
Shortness of breath (feeling like you more likely to have less common signs
can't get enough air). The short- of a heart attack, including:
ness of breath often occurs before or
along with the chest pain or discom- Heartburn
fort. Loss of appetite
http://www.womenshealth.gov Nausea (feeling sick to your stom- Feeling tired or weak
ach) or vomiting Coughing
1-800-994-9662
Feeling faint or woozy Heart f lutters
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
Breaking out in a cold sweat
page 6
page 8
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Act In Time to Heart Attack Signs
Institute (NHLBI) Campaign
Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573 National Heart Attack Alert Program
Internet Address: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm (NHLBI)
http://www.womenshealth.gov
Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573
1-800-994-9662 National Cholesterol Education Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 Program gov/actintime
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute (NHLBI) The Heart Truth
Internet Address: National Awareness Campaign for Women
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep about Heart Disease
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National High Blood Pressure (NHLBI)
Education Program Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute gov/health/hearttruth/index.htm
(NHLBI)
Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih. American Heart Association
gov/about/nhbpep/index.htm Phone Number(s): (800) 242-8721
Internet Address:
http://www.americanheart.org
WomenHeart
Phone Number(s): (202) 728-7199
Internet Address: www.womenheart.org
All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied,
reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the
Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.