Heart Attacks Are Killing Women

More women than men die of heart attacks every year. The reason for the shocking mortality rate is not a higher gender pre-disposition to cardiovascular disease (CVD), but misinformation and unintentional negligence.

“Women are largely unaware of the tell-tale signs and symptoms of heart disease, and most of us still believe that men are the ones that get heart attacks.” explain? Dennis Goodman. MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP, former Chief of Cardiology at Scripps Memorial Hospital. A member of the team at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine.

“Traditionally CVD in women has been under-diagnosed and under-treated by physcians because women’s symptoms are often a typical. Instead of the classic chest pain, they may have arm pain, neck and back pain, palpitations, sweating, dizziness skipped heart beats and abdominal pain as the presenting symptoms,” he says. “Lack of timely diagnosis and treatment has cost thousands of women’s lives every year.”

Dr. Goodman recently presented new research on raising good HDL cholesterol through treatment with a novel cardio-friendly nutraceutical formula called HDL Booster. The study showed an average 20 percent rise in HDL as well as decreased C-reactive protein, triglycendes and homocysteine levels. For every 1 point (mg/dl) increase in HDL, there is a 3 percent decrease in cardiovascular risk, including heart attacks and strokes for women and 2 percent for men. Goodman’s findings were presented at the 4th Annual Natural Supplements Conference: An Evidence-Based Update, January 19-21.

According to Dr. Goodman, every woman should know the facts about heart disease:

1. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women.
2. More than 8 million American women are living with heart disease.
3. Ten percent are women between the ages 45-64; twenty-five percent are over 65. Therefore, post-menopause, the risk of heart disease for women goes up exponentially-catching them up with men.
4. One in two women dies of heart disease, i.e., 500,000 every year die of heart attack or stroke.
5. 270,000 women die from heart attacks, i.e., 6 times more frequently than from breast cancer.
6. Women who smoke risk heart attack 19 years earlier than non-smokers.
7. Women with diabetes are 3 times more likely to have heart attacks.
8. High blood pressure is higher in women taking oral contraceptives, especially those who are obese.
9. About 39% of Caucasian, 57% Black, 57% Latina, and 49% Asian women are sedentary and don’t find time for physical activity.
10. 38% of women and 25% of men die within the first year of a heart attack.
11. 35% of women and 18% of men who survive a heart attack will have another one within 6 years.
12. Women are almost twice as likely as men to die after bypass surgery.
13. More women than men die of heart disease each year, yet only 33% receive angioplasiy stems and bypass surgery.
14. 28% of defibrillator cases are women.
15. 36% of open heart surgeries are on women.
16. Women only comprise one quarter of participants in all heart-related research studies.

“Be empowered to ask for information about yourself and seek out appropriate therapy,” advises Dr. Goodman, “especially if you have risk factors including high cholesterol, low HDL, high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, diabetes, as well as smoking, and obesity.” He recommends annual screening for cardiovascular disease, lipids. body weight, body mass index, and diabetes. “You should discuss ways to treat the risk factors with your doctor, including natural approaches like proper diet and exercise.”

Dr. Goodman’s nutriceutical approach using HDL Booster is unique because there’s no other treatment that naturally and effectively raises good HDL while lowering triglycerides, hsCRP, and homocysteine and with minimal side effects. Current treatments with higher dose Niacin preparations like Niaspan. are often limited by uncomfortable side effects like flushing which results in low compliance. “Drugs are not my first choice. Natural therapies are best whenever possible.”