Factors Predisposing Women to Heart Disease

According to data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), heart disease kills more women in the United States than any other disease. Being familiar with factors that predispose women to heart disease can help you reduce your chances of developing this life-threatening health condition.

Facts

• Heart disease is a group of illnesses that influence your heart's health. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart).

Age

• As a woman, you are more likely to develop heart disease with each passing birthday, especially once you have passed age 65. Women who experience menopause before age 40 also have higher chances of suffering from heart disease.

Lifestyle Factors

• According to the Women's Heart Foundation, about 70 percent of women don't exercise regularly. In addition to lack of exercise, other lifestyle-related factors that predispose women to heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.

Treatment

• Some risk factors that predispose women to heart disease (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol) can be effectively treated with medication, so talk to your doctor about getting treatment if you have these risk factors.

Prevention/Solution

• Although women can't prevent certain risk factors of heart disease, exercising regularly, eating a well-rounded, healthy diet and not smoking will significantly reduce your chances of developing heart disease.