Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women. Many people know that heart disease is the leading killer of men, but few realize this equal opportunity killer is the leading cause of death in women as well. Death from cardiovascular disease surpasses all forms of cancer combined. In fact, almost half of all heart attacks each year occur in women. The risk of heart disease increases with age. Until menopause, estrogen affords some protection due to its effect on how the body handles fat and cholesterol. Because men are often stricken in their prime, heart disease has been viewed as a man's disease. But women catch up, and by age 70 they are more likely to die from their heart attacks. Despite these facts, most of the studies of cardiovascular disease have been conducted in men. As a result, women often go undiagnosed with heart disease.

Between the ages of 45 and 65, one in nine women has a disease affecting the heart and blood vessel system. The risk factors for heart disease and stroke are the same. They include age, smoking, high total cholesterol and/or low good cholesterol levels (high-density lipoprotein HDL), high blood pressure, obesity, stress, diabetes and lack of exercise. A family history of heart disease or hypertension, and women of African-American descent are also at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. For more information contact the Women's Health Resource Center at 415-600-0500, the Community Health Resource Center at 415-923-3155 or the Institute for Health and Healing at 415-600-3660 who offer classes on smoking cessation, weight control, stress reduction and heart disease reversal nutritional programs.

We offer several services at California Pacific to help you on your way to a Healthy Heart. Cardiac services available at CPMC

What you can do…
It's never too late to make lifestyle change to reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.