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Top eight causes
of death for
women
|
Cause of
death |
Percentage
of females |
1. Heart
disease |
27.2 percent |
| 2. Cancer |
22.0 percent |
| 3. Stroke |
7.5 percent |
4. Chronic
lower
respiratory diseases |
5.2 percent |
| 5. Alzheimer's disease |
3.9 percent |
| 6. Unintentional injuries |
3.3 percent |
| 7. Diabetes |
3.1 percent |
8. Influenza
and
pneumonia |
2.7 percent |
Source: Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention |
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 Three big health threats for women
Last month, we looked at two of the top eight causes of death for American women. This month, we discuss three more — heart disease, stroke and diabetes — and what women can do about them.
When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. That’s because there’s a great deal you can do to prevent or control these conditions. In fact, diabetes is a risk factor of heart attack and stroke. Making lifestyle choices to prevent one condition also may help prevent the others. Also, knowing the signs of a heart attack, stroke and diabetes can help save your life. So, take a few minutes, and learn what you may be able to do to give your health a hand.
Heart disease
It’s not just a health issue for men. In fact, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, or CAD. It happens when a buildup of fat and cholesterol inside the artery walls causes arteries to narrow and harden, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, and it can lead to a heart attack.
Some factors that increase your risk of heart disease can’t be avoided, such as advancing age and family history of heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to control the risks you can. Talk with your doctor about these four important factors that can be controlled:
- Smoking. If you smoke, quit. If you need help quitting, talk with your doctor.
- Cholesterol levels. Too much cholesterol in the blood can clog arteries. Experts strongly recommend that women get screened for unhealthy cholesterol levels at ages 45 and older if they’re at risk of heart disease. It’s also recommended that women ages 20 to 45 be screened if they’re at an increased risk.
- High blood pressure. It can damage your arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke. Ask your doctor to check it at least every one or two years.
- Your weight. Being overweight or obese is linked to high blood pressure and unhealthful cholesterol levels, as well as diabetes and prediabetes.
Having coronary heart disease puts women at increased risk of having a heart attack. However, women may not recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. That’s because women may be more likely than men to have less typical symptoms, such as nausea or fatigue instead of intense chest pain, the classic symptom.
If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 right away. Warning signs include:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, discomfort or numbness in the jaw, back or arms
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness, nausea, sweating or severe fatigue, with or without chest pain
Stroke
A stroke happens when the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain is suddenly cut off. Brain cells begin to die immediately. Any abilities — such as speech or memory — controlled by that area of the brain damaged by the stroke could be lost.
Between the ages of 45 and 64, women are more likely to have a stroke than men. This is also a time in a woman’s life when blood pressure and cholesterol levels may rise — two risk factors of stroke. Fortunately, working with your doctor to reduce your risk of heart disease can also lower your chances of having a stroke.
In many cases, treatment can limit the damage caused by stroke. But, time is of the essence. That’s why it’s crucial to know the warning signs and to get medical help right away. Symptoms come on suddenly and may include:
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body
- Vision trouble
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Dizziness or confusion
- Trouble talking or understanding speech
- Severe headache without a known cause
Diabetes
Much of the food you eat is broken down into glucose, or blood sugar. A hormone called insulin helps your glucose enter the body’s cells. When this process doesn’t work right, blood sugar can build up in the body. This may result in damaged blood vessels and nerves, which may cause serious health issues. In addition, having diabetes triples your risk of having a stroke. It’s also a major risk factor of heart disease.
There are three types of diabetes that can affect women. Type 1 diabetes usually appears early in life. It’s often found in children and young adults. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. It can occur at any age. Women also can get a form of diabetes during pregnancy called gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth, but it increases one’s risk of diabetes later in life.
Many people have diabetes but don’t know it. That’s because the condition often has no warning signs. When symptoms are present, they can include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Weight loss
- Sores that don’t heal
- Blurred vision
However, diabetes doesn’t always have obvious symptoms. So, experts recommend blood sugar tests for people with blood pressure greater than 130/80 mm Hg. Some experts also suggest testing if you’re overweight and have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Unhealthful cholesterol levels
- Inactive lifestyle
- A family history of diabetes
- Given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds
- Prediabetes, a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes
Ask your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of diabetes. It’s especially important to take action now if you have prediabetes. Losing weight, switching to a healthful diet and staying active may help prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting a fitness program.
Talk with your doctor about the many steps you can take to prevent or manage these three serious threats to your health. Next month, this series wraps up with a look at cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and unintentional injuries.
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Fit, female and fabulous
Learn more about being a healthy woman by visiting the Women’s Health center at myuhc.com.
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