Women and Heart Disease

Marisol, a 42-year-old Hispanic woman, had always enjoyed good health. She had high blood cholesterol, but it never caused her any problems. She awoke one morning unusually fatigued. She was short of breath, but she attributed that to being out of shape and inactive. She made an appointment with her dentist when she noticed severe jaw pain, thinking she might have an abscessed tooth. Her dentist found nothing wrong and sent her on her way.

Janet, 72, was a lifelong smoker. Her two-pack-a-day habit had caused her high blood pressure problems, but it was something she enjoyed. At her age, she was not about to give it up. She had given up her driver's license several years earlier and was no longer able to live an active life. She often felt stressed and depressed. She blamed her sudden heartburn and indigestion on her high blood pressure, took a few antacids, and went back to bed.

Aubrey was a 58-year-old African American. She had battled her weight all her life, but she was still morbidly obese. She had adult-onset diabetes and lived a very sedentary lifestyle. She awoke one day with an ominous feeling that something was terribly wrong. She felt cold and clammy, struggled for breath, and was extremely nauseated. Her home health aide suggested that she simply rest, and she happily obliged.

Marisol misunderstood her symptoms. Janet's age and smoking put her in a high-risk category. Aubrey's race, obesity, and diabetes left her in a lethal situation. All three women ultimately succumbed to the number-one killer of women. Unfortunately, they did not have to die that way. Heart disease kills more women than men annually, butthere are things every woman can do to reduce her risk of death.