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Heart Care Services

The No. 1 Killer of Women

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Heart disease and stroke kill almost half a million women in the U.S. every year. That’s one death per minute, making cardiovascular disease the No. 1 killer of women; but few women consider it their greatest health risk. Not every person is at equal risk for cardiovascular disease. The more risk factors you have, the more important it is to have a cardiac evaluation.

bullet FAMILY HISTORY Genetics plays a role.
bullet OBESITY extra weight makes the heart work harder and raises blood pressure and cholesterol.
bullet AGE Four out of five people who die of heart disease are 65 or older.
bullet RACE Black women have a greater risk than white women.
bullet HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE as blood pressure rises, so does the risk of heart disease.
bullet DIABETES diabetics have a significantly higher risk.
bullet HIGH CHOLESTEROL as cholesterol rises, so does the risk of heart disease.
bullet CIGARETTE SMOKING Smokers have twice the risk of heart attack as non-smokers.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Symptoms of Heart Disease

  • Feeling a little short of breath lately?
  • Experiencing chest pains?
  • Tingling sensations?
  • Increased fatigue?

Heart disease is the great impostor

Don’t ignore what could be your body’s warning signs of coronary artery disease. Heart disease affects 62 million people in the United States and is one of the primary killers of both men and women.

Men's Symptoms | Women's Symptoms

Classic symptoms:

  • crushing chest pressure or pain
  • tingling down the left arm
  • profuse sweating
  • lightheadedness

Subtle symptoms:

  • muscle or back aches
  • neck pain
  • indigestion
  • fatigue
  • shortness of breath

Early diagnosis and treatment is vital. When coronary arteries become clogged, blood and oxygen can’t get to the heart. Complete closure of an artery can trigger a severe or fatal heart attack.

Doctors say regular annual exams that screen blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart rhythms are the best offense in identifying potential heart trouble. For women, discuss heart-healthy issues with your doctor beginning at age 35; for men, age 40.

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For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.

At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization — and your first choice for health care services.