Cardiovascular Disease and Women
By: Amanda Baker
Cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD, is the number one
killer of men and women of all ethnic groups in the United States.
Cardiovascular diseases include such ailments as high blood
pressure, arrythmia, valve disease, congestive heart failure and
stroke. Though worries of more "high profile" diseases such as
breast cancer are on the forefront in many women's minds, the hard
truth is that one in four women are affected with some form of
cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are things such as high
blood pressure, obesity, abnormal blood glucose, and even the use
of tobacco, among other factors. When caught at an early age, these
risk factors can be muted to help prevent manifesting themselves as
cardiovascular disease later on.
Altering your lifestyle can help to lower your chances for
cardiovascular diseases. Such alterations as eating a diet that is
low in fat and cholesterol, adding more fruits and vegetables to
your diet, drinking enough water daily, and exercising for half an
hour a day are all ways that physicians suggest can assist in
lowering your chances for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular diseases are known as silent killers, as they often
have no symptoms. If you think you may be having any symptoms of
heart disease, you should speak to your doctor about the many tests
available. Doctors often begin with simple tests, the results of
which can lead to tests that are more complex.
In connection with cardiovascular disease are "extra" heartbeats,
which typically happen when there is an irritation in the lower
part of the heart's pumping chambers. They interrupt the normal
heart rhythm, which can feel like a missed beat. This can actually
be a harmless "quirk" of your body's functions, or can lead to
problems that are far more serious.
If a woman has these palpitations or any other symptoms such as
dizziness, blurred vision, or shortness of breath, she should
contact her doctor right away. A complete medical history, physical
exam, and other tests will be run to determine the cause of these
behaviors, which can be anything from stress-related behavior to
something far more dangerous. The advice and consultation of a
physician where heart disease is concerned is the only way to
go.
Amanda Baker writes for tobeinformed.com - a website for health, fitness and wellness information.
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