Women's Heart Care
Cardiovascular disease has usually been thought of as a "male" disease, but it is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.
Researchers say that women experience cardiovascular disease differently than men, especially coronary heart disease. It may have different symptoms, and onset tends to occur later in life. Because of these differences, women are often less likely to be referred for testing for heart disease. Women must therefore be more assertive in seeking appropriate care.
General Statistics
- Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.
- An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases.
- 90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
- Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.
- 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education
- Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
- The symptoms of heart attack can be different in women vs. men, and are often misunderstood – even by some physicians.
Hispanic Women
- Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for Hispanic women, killing nearly 21,000 annually.
- Only 34% of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.
African-American Women
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for African-American women, killing more than 48,000 annually.
- Only 36% of African-American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.
- Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 48.3% have cardiovascular disease. Yet, only 14% believe that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health problem.
- Only about 50% of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Source: American Heart Association
