Women are just as much at risk for heart disease and heart attacks as men are. In fact heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over the age of 65. American women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer. Heart disease kills more women over the age of 65 than all of the other cancers combined. Women typically develop heart problems 7 or 8 years later in life than men. However by the age 65, a woman's risk of developing heart disease is almost the same as a man's.
Approximately 9 million American women of all ages suffer from heart disease. Another 2 million women have suffered from strokes. Both of these conditions are known as cardiovascular diseases, which include serious disorders of the heart and blood vessel system.
Many of the risk factors that attribute to heart disease can be controlled. Here are habits or traits that can make a person more likely to develop a heart disease.
These include:
Cigarette smoking
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol (high total cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol)
Low HDL cholesterol
Overweight
Physical inactivity
Diabetes
The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk.
Disclaimer: This information is meant to be used a guideline. It is not to be used in place of a physician's care or medical advice.