Do you think you're at low risk for heart disease just because you're female?  Think again:  a recent study of 30,000 women showed that fewer than 10% white women and 5% of African-American women are at low risk for heart disease.

Women have the same risks for heart disease as men. . .and then some.  The risks that men and women share are smoking, family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes.  But women are at much great cardiac risk from diabetes than men.  Women with diabetes are at the same risk of dying from a heart attack as women who have already had a heart attack!

Many women are now aware that menopause is also an increased risk factor, and premature menopause before age 40 is an even greater risk. 

Few women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are aware that this puts them at increased risk for heart disease.  In this syndrome, an excess of male hormones is produced causing ovarian cysts, menstrual abnormalities, weight gain, increased LDL (the "bad cholesterol") and facial or body hair growth.  Insulin resistance is also a complication as is a condition called "The Metabolic Syndrome" which affects more women than men.   

The good news is that most of these risks can be reduced.  Increasing exercise and cutting back on calories (particularly from processed carbohydrates) is probably the best start for most people who are overweight.  Guidelines also recommend that all men over age 40 and women over age 50 with one cardiac risk factor talk with their doctors about taking an aspirin each day to further reduce cardiac risk.

For more information on cardiac risk reduction click here.

Created: 6/19/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.