According to an article posted on the Mayo Clinic�s web site,
women are more likely to die from heart disease than from any
other cause in the US. Primary care providers need to be aware of
this since the early warning signs of heart problems are
frequently overlooked or ignored by women themselves and because
many of the contributing risk behaviors can be changed.
While many believe that heart disease affects mostly men, the
facts say otherwise. More women than men die of heart disease in
the US every year. Risk factors for both genders which should be
addressed by primary care providers when dealing with all
patients include:
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
- Adopting a health diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains
- Regular exercise
- Controlling related conditions including hypertension,
diabetes and high cholesterol
