Women, This Is Not Your Father’s Heart Disease

Heart disease is no longer considered a man’s problem. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death in women in the U. S. According to the American Heart Association, 60% of all heart attacks occur in women. In 2010, it was estimated that 785,000 of that 60% would suffer a recurring heart attack. Nearly every minute, a woman dies from heart disease. Indeed, according to the Yale medical library: “Of the approximately 500,000 fatal heart attacks per year, almost half occur in women. Women who have a heart attack are twice as likely to die within the first two weeks as are men” (Rosenfeld, 1992). In the U. S. alone, there are more than 42 million women that have heart disease (Roger et al., 2011). Worldwide, nearly 8.6 million women die every year from cardiovascular diseases (WHO, 2003).

Gender Bias in the Research

The common belief once was that when women reach menopause, our risk of developing a heart attack or coronary heart disease (CHD) becomes the same as a man’s.  Right? How many women believe this? I know I did, so I was not worried.  And I do not believe that your genes are your fate either.  For example, if your father died of coronary artery disease, this does not mean this will be your fate.  You are what your eat and science now proves it.