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Cardiovascular (involving the heart and blood vessels) disease is the leading cause of death in women, accounting for over 500,000 deaths on an annual basis. Over 250,000 of these deaths are directly related to heart disease or coronary artery disease. Heart disease accounts for more deaths a year than all cancers combined.

The incidence of cardiac disease increases with age and menopausal status. Other risk factors for heart disease include tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, unfavorable cholesterol profiles, obesity, a positive family history and an early menopause.
What to Do:

Stop smoking.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber, balanced with low fat protein and unsaturated fats.
Try to add oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring or flax seed) to their diets.

Know your cholesterol and actively pursue treatment for abnormal values. Consider taking a multivitamin that includes folic acid. Consider adding anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E, to your diet.

It is advantageous to exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.
Women should consider hormone replacement therapy after menopause.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 26th, 2012 at 4:43 am and is filed under Women's Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.