Women and Heart Disease
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Heart disease kills more women than any other disease. Nearly 12,000 women in New York City died of heart disease in 2008.
Top 10 Causes of Death for Women in New York City (2008)
1. Heart Disease
2. Cancer (including breast cancer)
3. Influenza & Pneumonia
4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
5. Diabetes Melitus
6. Stroke
7. Hypertension and Hypertensive Renal Disease
8. HIV Disease
9. Accidents (except Poisoning by Psychoactive Substance)
10. Use of or Poisoning by Psychoactive Substance
Source: NYC Bureau of Vital Statistics 2008
Learn about Heart Disease
Protect your heart. There are things we can all do to make our hearts healthier, starting today. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease. Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood around your body, and just like any muscle, it also needs to receive blood to work properly. Coronary heart disease refers to disease (or blockage) in the blood vessels that bring blood to your heart muscle. When there's a blockage in your coronary blood vessels, less blood gets to the heart muscle. Not enough blood flow to the heart can trigger a heart attack.
Learn More About Heart Disease:
National Institutes of Health: What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
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Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
The signs and symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
- Shortness of breath
- Other signs include feeling lightheaded, breaking out in a cold sweat, or feeling nauseous.
If you have chest pain or discomfort, especially combined with any of these other symptoms and lasting more than 5 minutes, call 911. If these symptoms last less than 5 minutes and then go away completely, still call your doctor.
A heart attack isn't something you plan for, but you should always have an emergency plan. Here are some simple tips to help you start planning ahead:
- Learn the heart attack warning signs "by heart."
- Talk with family and friends about the warning signs and the need to call 9-1-1 quickly.
- Talk with your health care provider about your risk factors for heart attack and how to reduce them.
- Write out a Heart Attack Survival Plan that has vital medical information and keep it handy.
- Make a plan today to have someone care for your children or other dependents in case of an emergency in the future.
Look for these tips and more in The Heart Health Handbook for Women (PDF).
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