1. Which disease is the number-one killer of women?
Heart disease kills more than 450,000 American women every year. For the last 20 years, heart disease has killed more women than men, and the gap is actually widening as men’s heart attack death rates improve faster than women’s. Yet only a third of women in the United States consider themselves at risk for heart disease, according to a 2006 poll.
2. Which of the following is a common trigger for heart attacks?
All of the above (overeating, stress, and anger). Heart attacks occur when a piece of plaque lining an artery wall ruptures and blocks the flow of blood to the heart. These triggers are known to contribute to ruptures, but heart attacks generally draw on existing conditions. Stress, strenuous exercise, and even heavy meals can be triggers for a heart attack.
3. How many Americans die each year from heart attacks?
Around 150,000 American men and women die from heart attacks each year. The good news: Most heart attacks today aren’t fatal.
4. Which of the following is not a leading risk factor for heart disease?
Erectile dysfunction can be an indicator of risk for heart disease, but it is not considered a leading risk factor.
5. True or false: People suffering from depression are 65% more likely to develop heart disease.
True. Depression and heart disease are intricately linked. But the extent to which these two chronic conditions are caused by each other, or happen to occur in tandem, is an area experts are still exploring. How to treat both conditions simultaneously is another.
More Healthy Heart articles:
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Nearly a half-million women die of cardiovascular disease every year, but they don’t have to—the condition is largely preventable and treatable. Here’s how to reduce your lifestyle hazards as well as your medical and genetic risks.
Two Little Steps to Less Stress
When you are under stress, your breath is shallow. These tips will help you reduce your stress, get more oxygen to your brain, and reduce your risk for stress-related complications.
Burn Fat, Reduce Stress, Have More Sex, and Get Healthy Fast
When it comes to doing stuff that enhances your health and happiness, more is often better. The challenge is squeezing more of the good things into your life. Here are some smart, surprising ways to fit it all in.
This Is Your Heart on Aspirin
It seems like such a simple way to stay healthy: Just pop an aspirin and worry a little less about keeling over from a heart attack or stroke. Research suggests that aspirin may be a wonder drug for many women who aren’t taking it. Here’s how to know if you are one of them.
Why Women Should Worry More About Heart Attacks
More than 450,000 American women die from heart disease each year. Here’s what you need to know now.
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Comments (6)
The answer to #1 says 450,000 women in the US die each year. However the ansewer to #3 says a total of 150,000 men AND women die in the US each year. Which is correct?
I was going to ask just what Joan asked. How do we believe these tests when you don’t have the facts straight. It’s discouraging.
maybe the difference was in their wording - heart disease vs. heart attacks?
then again I guess that’s not really the point of the article. I think they are trying to bring more awareness to the issue. So instead of nitpicking discrepancies let’s focus on the idea of overall health.
A very important fact of heart health is what we consume. Most of the public believe our food supply to be safe but it is not. So if we did not allow the food companies to put so many additives, pesticides and bad fats in our food supply there would not be such a problem with to begin with. And this is one reason our bodies do not function at an optimal rate and that we are gaining weight. Most people do not understand that a lot of the diet products will actually make you gain weight. Always remember it’s all about the money our health is secondary.
I was going to post a comment about the discreprency in the numbers also (450,000 or 150,000?), until I read the comments above. It may be the wording all right, but it makes the editors look stupid. Please check your information before you post.
Thank you