Five Myths Regarding Women and Heart Disease!

When it comes to heart disease, you need to know what the facts really are and what is fantasy.  I believe that so many younger women today, think that they won't be afflicted with any cardiovascular illnesses.  That is, until they are much older.  This simply is not true!

There are many younger women stricken down by a massive heart attack, or some other heart related problems.  I'm referring to women who are in their early thirties and older.  Cardiovascular disease isn't a malady affecting only older women. 

Here are five myths that need to be learned by all women:

1.  Heart Disease is a disease that only affects men.  
     Fact:  Many women think that breast and ovarian cancer is the number one killer of women in the United States, but they are wrong.  More women die every day from heart disease.  Breast cancer claims the lives of 1 in 31 women every day; while heart disease kills 1 in 3 women daily.  Women must open their eyes and become aware of the danger from heart disease.  It affects women of every age.

2.  Heart Disease is for Old People.  
     Fact:  The taking of birth control pills and/or smoking boosts heart disease risk in women by 20 percent.  I'm talking about young women; those who can still conceive a child.  That would be women in their 20's, 30's, and 40's.  Also, overeating can increase those percentages in women of all ages.  Many times a woman is born with an underlying heart condition which increases the risks later in life.

3.   Heart Disease doesn't affect women who are physically fit. 
      Fact:  You may think that because you stay physically fit, by exercising daily, doing yoga, running marathons or walking, that you will not have heart disease.  You couldn't be more wrong!  This disease doesn't care how physically fit you are.  Many factors, like high cholesterol, bad eating habits high in sugars, and smoking counter balance your healthy habits.  You can be slim and trim and still be diagnosed with high cholesterol, which in turn, clogs the arteries to the heart.  High blood pressure is also a factor in heart disease.  Make sure you start getting both your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at least two to three times a year by the age of 25.

4.  You don't have any symptoms prompting you to get checked for heart disease.
     Fact:  Sixty-four percent of women who die from a coronary infraction, had no previous symptoms.  The signs for a coronary infraction in women are often misjudged.  Women simply blame it on the fact that they're rushed, stressed, over worked, or simply tired.  We have been conditioned to believe that the symptoms for a heart attack should be just like those symptoms in men.  That is just not true.  Women can experience a shortness of breath, nausea and/or vomiting, back or jaw pain, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.  These are simply nothing like what most men experience with a heart attack. 

5.  Heart Disease runs in my family, so there's nothing I can do about it.
     Fact:  It is true that if you are predisposed for having cardiovascular disease, because past generations in your family have had heart disease, you are at a higher risk.  There's still things you can do to lower those risks:  Eat healthy, stay active, loose weight, get regular blood and cholesterol checks, educate yourself as much as possible about cardiovascular disease and always tell your doctor about anything that just doesn't seem normal to you. 

Knowing the signs for heart disease is so important.  Write them down and post them where you will be able to see them on a daily basis.  Don't just assume that the pain in your back is just from your overdoing it.  Don't sush away anything that's occurring with your body, as nothing.  Make healthy choices always concerning your own health.  Women have been known to take care of everyone else, but themselves.  This has to stop today!  Women can't possibly take good care of their husbands and children, if they don't put their own health first and formost, always. 

Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.  I've lived with heart disease since the day I was born.  I had a pacemaker implanted at the age of 43.  At that time, my heart was very sickly.  Then at the age of 58, I suffered from Congestive Heart Failure and almost died.  Now 10 years later, I suffer from Chronic Diastolic Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, Ventriclular Tachycardia and a few other heart problems.  I was implanted with a Defibrillator with a built in pacemaker.  I am pacer dependent, and have been since the age of 43. 

I'm not complaining.  I am so blessed by God to still be alive.  I beg each and every woman who reads this to share this extremely important information with every other woman you know.  Also, for any men who read this, please share the facts with your wife, mother, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and any female you love.  It just could save their life!

Be safe and God bless.
Susan

Ref: www.goredforwomen.org