The Quiet Killer: Heart Disease in Women

N E W   Y O R K, April 30 -- Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women, yet few women consider the disease a major health concern. Not only are women unaware of their risk, they also have limited knowledge of the symptoms of heart disease.

Almost half of women with heart disease feel their diagnosis "came out of the blue," according to a survey conducted by WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

This lack of awareness stems in part from many patients' and doctors' view of heart disease as a condition that primarily affects men. Yet women are less likely to be treated aggressively and more likely die of heart disease than men. That's why it's crucial that women educate themselves about their risk factors for heart disease, as well its prevention and treatment.

Below, Dr. Sharonne Hayes, director of the Mayo Clinic Women's Heart Clinic and chair of the WomenHeart Scientific Advisory Board, discusses heart disease and its symptoms, and encourages women to play a larger role in their own heart health.

What are the most common types of heart disease?Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, includes many conditions, but the most common type is coronary artery disease, which is also the most preventable. Coronary artery disease involves blockages in the arteries caused by plaque buildup. If this plaque progresses or ruptures, heart attack or sudden death can result.

Hypertension, which is under the umbrella of cardiovascular diseases, can have many serious effects on the heart, the blood vessels and the kidneys and, if untreated, is a major cause of stroke. It occurs when the blood pressure is greater than 140/90. Other types of heart disease include diseases of the heart rhythm, which can cause either a very slow heart rate or a fast heart rate. One could also be born with abnormal heart, a condition called congenital heart disease. And heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump properly because it has been damaged or weakened, or because of high blood pressure or hypertension.

How many women die of cardiovascular diseases each year?More than half a million women die of cardiovascular diseases each year, and more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next 10 causes combined. To put it in perspective, there are about 60,000 deaths from breast cancer annually, compared to 500,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease. Still, for many women, cardiovascular disease is basically an underrecognized and silent disease.