While the American Heart Association and health professionals are working StrictionD Review to increase awareness of heart disease in women, not all women are getting the message. Those who are missing this vital information? Women in their thirties, who don't realize that heart disease is very real for threat for them. While these young women believe that they're too young for heart disease, this is not the case. Risk factors often begin when women are in their twenties. The disease continues to develop over time.
One in every three women over age 20 suffer from some form of heart disease. 35,000 women in the U.S. under the age of 55 have heart attacks each year. Twice as many women than men under the age of 50 die from heart attacks. Risk Factors For Younger Women Some of the common risk factors for younger women include the obvious ones: smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity; along with a sedentary lifestyle. Metabolic syndrome is another common risk factor for women of all ages. This is actually a group of factors which includes abdomen fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglyceride levels.
However, there are hidden risks as well. These include: high blood sugar during pregnancy, a history of missed periods by age 35, and low levels of vitamin D. A recent news report also listed depression as a major risk factor for heart disease in young women. In fact, according to a new study, women under the age of 55 who suffered from depression doubled their chance of having a heart attack or other form of heart disease.
How Young Women Can Protect Themselves Women can begin protecting themselves from heart disease while in their twenties. This protection starts with a visit to their primary care doctor. This is particularly important if a woman has a family history of heart disease and heart attacks. The visit to a doctor should include a heart wellness exam. This includes a blood cholesterol test (starting at age 20), blood pressure check, heart rate, body mass index and waist measurement. Knowing where you stand can motivate you to make lifestyle changes if needed.