Heart Disease in Women
What is it?
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. In fact, women are four to six times as likely to die of heart disease then breast cancer.
There are many different types of heart disease. The most common are:
- coronary heart disease, which accounts for almost 70% of heart-related deaths each year. "Coronary heart disease refers to the failure of the coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscles and surrounding tissues."
- coronary artery disease "refers to an accumualation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries which supply the myocardium." [1]
- cardiomyopathy refers to "the deterioration of the myocardium, (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason." [2]
- cardiovascular disease "is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart." [3]
"Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer with cardiovascular disease in the forms that affect the blood vessels, while men usually suffer from forms that effect the heart muscle." [4]
Causes of Heart Disease
Though there is no single cause of heart disease, there are known lifestyle factors that increase our risk dramatically. Some of these factors are:
- diabetes
- excess alcohol consumption
- excess drug use
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- stress
Please note, that not included in the list above is congential heart defects. These are conditions that you are born with, and beyond the scope of this very brief fact sheet.
Symptoms
Each type of heart disease has different symptoms.
The symptoms of coronary heart disease include:
- dizziness
- heart palpatations
- nausea
- rapid heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- weakness
The symptoms of myocardial infraction (heart attack) include:
- dizziness
- indigestion
- irregular heartbeats
- nausea
- pain in the chest
- pain radiating down the arm
- sweating
- vomiting
"There are three aspects of "coronary artery disease" in women that are more common to women than men, and when they occur they often lead to missed diagnoses and inadequate therapy." These are worth looking at, and we provide a link for you to the site that lists them HERE.[5]
"Reducing serum cholesterol levels, especially the low density (LDL) fraction, is a well established, effective strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing coronary events and mortality." [6]
~Jim English for Nutrition Review~
Conventional Medical Option Treatments
Conventional medical treatment options for heart disease depends on the type of heart disease. Some of the more common treatment options are often one or a combination of the following:
- lifestyle habit changes: (healthier diet, smoking cessation, regular exercise, meditation)
- aspirin therapy
- prescription medication: (can include medications for assistance with high blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, etc.)
- surgery: (can include: stents, bypass, etc)
Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs
Important Note: If you are currently taking prescription medications, do NOT add any of the following supplement options to your regimine without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
- omega-3: The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week. "Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly)."[7]
- a good quality multivitamin (e.g., UltraCardio Support Pack)
- sytrinol: Studies suggest that Sytrinol may maintain healthy C-reactive protein metabolism. On top of these main actions, Sytrinol provides antioxidant support, promotes healthy immune response in the arterial vessel walls and encourages healthy blood flow. [8]
"One of the newest and most effective alternatives to statin drugs is a recently patented proprietary formula comprising citrus and palm fruit extracts that contains polymethoxylated flavones and tocotrienols. It has been shown in human trials to significantly reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Additionally, the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts in this nantural formulation (trademarked under the name Sytrinol™) are known to contribute to managing additional cardiovascular disease risk factors." ~Jim English - Nutrition Review~[9]
- magnesium: Many conclusive clinical trials have time and again confirmed the importance of this particular mineral. The University of Maryland Medical Center sums up these findings: "Magnesium is essential to heart health. It helps maintain a normal heart rhythm and is sometimes given intravenously (IV) in the hospital to reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). People with congestive heart failure (CHF) are often at risk for developing cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, your doctor may decide that magnesium should be a part of the treatment of CHF." [10]
- coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 levels decrease with age and tend to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions. Moreover, this particular supplement is a MUST DISCUSS with your doctor if you are currently on a statin drug to lower cholesterol. "The widespread use of statin drugs is of special concern because they can lower the endogenous levels of Coenzyme Q10, the naturally-occurring form of ubiquinone in humans. Ubiquinone is widely recognized as an essential component of energy metabolism in the electron-transfer system in mitochondrial membranes. At physiological concentrations it is also recognized as an effective lipid-soluble antioxidant." [11]
Diet
The American Heart Association lists some "Healthy Food Choices" for people with heart failure. We provide the link HERE.
Also, as noted on the American Heart Association website, "...physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease..." People that are recovering from heart disease should consult their doctor before they start a vigorous exercise program.
References
[1, 2, 3, 4] Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Heart Disease Cardiovascular disease: heart disease · Circulatory system pathology (I00-I52, 390-429) Website Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_disease Additional "view source:" Arialdi M. Miniño, M.P.H., Melonie P. Heron, Ph.D., Sherry L. Murphy, B.S., Kenneth D. Kochanek, M.A.
| title = Deaths: Final data for 2004, et. al. journal = National Vital Statistics Reports, volume = 55, issue = 19, pages = 7
[5] Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com Guide, Women and Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary artery disease is often not "typical" in women
Created: November 30, 2009 Website Source: http://heartdisease.about.com/od/coronaryarterydisease/a/women_CAD.htm
[6] Jim English Nutrition Review New Dietary Supplement Shows Dramatic Effects in Lowering Cholesterol, LDL, and Triglycerides: Sytrinol Website Source: http://www.nutritionreview.org/library/sytrinol.php
[7] American Heart Association Website Source: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632 referenced: AHA Scientific Statements: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/21/2747 Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease
[8] Pure Encapsulations Sytrinol®: What Is It? Website Source: purecaps.com/Sytrinol.pdf
[9] Jim English Nutrition Review New Dietary Supplement Shows Dramatic Effects in Lowering Cholesterol, LDL, and Triglycerides: Sytrinol Website Source: http://www.nutritionreview.org/library/sytrinol.php
[10] University of Maryland Medical Center Magnesium: Arrhythmia and heart failure Website Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/magnesium-000313.htm
[11] Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD Commentary: Statin Drugs and Coenzyme Q10
A Potential for Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion
last Updated: 03/15/10
Website Source: http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/coq10.htm |
