Time and again, it has been said that heart diseases and conditions such as Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the top reasons for mortality here in the US. What makes it even more deadly is the fact that very few people, even more so women, really take the time to determine whether they are at a risk. If you are one of those who would like to know more about the risk factors that come with certain heart conditions in women, you might need to keep in mind the following:
1. Age
If you are a female of at least 55 years of age, you are at a higher risk for heart attack as well as other heart conditions. This is because, at this age, there could already be a solid build up of fatty deposits on your blood vessels that is keeping the oxygen-rich blood from circulating smoothly.
2. Smoking
Whether you like tobacco or cigarette, smoking, as well as long-term exposure to it,increases the chances of you suffering from heart attack. Aside from being a threat to your blood cells, the chemicals you release when smoking can also weaken your blood vessels.
3. High level of LDL
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is also known as the “bad cholesterol”. A number of studies have proven that a high level of LDL can cause your blood vessels to narrow. The same is true for high levels of triglycerides.
4. Personal disposition
Although many equate a woman’s ease in expressing emotions as catharsis, thereby removing stress from the heart, mental stress and depression, whether expressed or not, is still one of the factors that increase a woman’s risk for heart diseases. More than anything else, having a gloomy or negative disposition gives rise to an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, if you are depressed, there is a higher chance that you would increase your alcohol intake as well as eat food that are rich in calories. You would also most likely avoid physical activities.
5. Estrogen Level
Women who have lower levels of estrogen tend to have higher risks for certain heart conditions. This could also be one of the reasons why female of 50 years or more of age, considered to be the menopausal age, tend to be more susceptible to cardiac arrest.
The Solution
Now, when it comes to dealing with the risks for heart diseases, gender does not play much of a role. After all, both sexes need to keep in mind the following:
1. If you have not started smoking yet, don’t. If, on the other hand, you are already a smoker, it would be to your advantage if you would keep it to a minimum. Smoking a pack a day might not be the best for your heart.
2. Keep away from a sedentary life. That means, you would need to make sure that you exercise at least 30 minutes a day, or around 60 minutes if you are trying to lose weight. Of course, you need to consider what the ideal weight is for your height, and make sure that you keep to those figures.
3. Eat a balanced diet. This means having vegetables, fruits, and some protein and carbohydrates on your plate.
To be sure that you know what to do should someone around you suffer from cardiac arrest, make sure that you undergo a CPR training program. It would also help if you have an AED unit nearby.
