Heart Disease: It's Not Just For Men

It's a common misconception that cardiovascular disease is a man's disease. The fact is cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States. Nearly twice as many U.S. women die of heart disease and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. Our society is woefully unaware of this number one killer of women.

Surprisingly, a 1998 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists survey showed that less than half of women over 50 had ever discussed cardiovascular disease with their doctors. Only 18 percent reported seeing any information related to cardiovascular disease in their doctor's office.

One reason for this lack of communication between women and their physicians could be that doctors have only recently become aware that there are gender differences in the symptoms and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Women tend to have fewer of the typical heart attack symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, therefore, may be delayed.

More gender-based research is needed. We need, for example, to understand more clearly why women who have gone through menopause have an increased rate of heart disease. Questions have been raised about the protective nature of the hormone estrogen, but current trials have not shown the benefit of hormone replacement therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Know the risks and warning signs … and ask your doctor about how you can help protect yourself against heart disease.

Am I at risk?

Facts and Figures
Risk Factors
Warning Signs
Mental Health
Postmenopausal Health
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