To manage cardiac health, every woman should understand what her personal risk might be.
If you answer "yes" to three or more of the following questions, you should call your doctor immediately.
- Do you have a family history of heart attack or heart disease (especially sudden cardiac death)?
- Hypertension?
- Diabetes?
- Elevated cholesterol?
- Are you postmenopausal?
- Do you smoke?
- Are you obese, or do you lead a sedentary lifestyle?
- Are you often under heavy stress?
- Do you have a prior personal history of heart disease or heart attack?
If you answered "yes" to more than three of these questions, you have a significant risk for developing coronary artery disease and you should talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risks.
Many of these risk factors can be changed by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Get guidance and support from your physician and from friends who have made heart-healthy changes in their lives.
Step No. 4: Choose a Heart Healthy Lifestyle
The medical evidence overwhelmingly shows that healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your incidence of heart disease.
A landmark study published in 2000 reported that patients who aggressively pursued a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a low-fat diet, no smoking, stress management and aerobic exercise, substantially reduced their risk for heart attack, cardiac surgery and death.
Other studies show that men and women of all ages who have low cholesterol and are non-diabetic, non-hypertensive and non-smokers have 92 percent fewer heart attacks than people with these risk factors. In addition, there is a significant decrease in their risk of stroke and cancer.
Step. No. 5: Be Your Own "Medical Manager"
Most women depend on their obstetricians or gynecologists for their health-care needs. While it's important to continue routine gynecologic care, more women need generalized care, too.
Choosing an internist or family physician is the best place to start. Ask your doctor about routine screening for common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and breast and colon cancer.
Dr. Dolan is an attending physician and clinical instructor in emergency medicine at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. She has a particular interest in women's health.
