Heart Attack Information For Women

For Women: Heart Attack Information

Although most of the risk factors for heart disease are the same for men and women, there are special factors that women should be aware of:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in America. Over one in three women die from heart disease or stroke. This is slightly higher than the number of men. On average women live longer than men. Women tend to be older when they have a heart attack, and often are more likely to die from it.

Women are much more likely to develop heart disease after menopause. The risk goes up because their bodies don’t produce as much estrogen, a hormone that protects the heart and blood vessels. If you have gone through menopause, you may want to talk with your doctor about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Women who smoke are at least twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. For those who smoke and take birth control pills, the risk goes up

30 times if they are under 35, and
as much as 400 times for those 35 or older