Heart Disease and Older Women

Abstract

Heart disease has traditionally been thought of as a man's disease. However, one in three older women develop heart disease, making it the leading cause of death in older women. Current treatment for heart disease is based largely on studies using males as subjects. Doctors are just now beginning to learn about differences in men and women who have heart disease. The focus of this discussion is heart disease as it relates specifically to women. Risk factors considered are smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, diabetes mellitus, obesity, stress, family history and physical inactivity. Diagnosis, treatment options and strategies for living productively with heart disease are presented.