Heart Disease Prevention in Women
Up to 44% of women may be living with some form of cardiovascular disease, says Dr. Zubair Ahmed, an interventional cardiologist at Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, part of the Walker Heart Institute.
Women, like men, are at increased risk for heart disease if they have other health conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure or malfunctioning kidneys
Some risk factors for heart disease are modifiable with simple lifestyle changes. “Smoking is the biggest modifiable risk factor that we talk about,” Ahmed says. Other risk factors that can be changed include a sedentary lifestyle, meaning a lack of activity or exercise, and poor diet. “All of these factors play into lowering the risk of heart disease,” Ahmed says.
To lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, Ahmed recommends:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding excessive alcohol
- No smoking at all
- Regular checkups with your doctor
If you are concerned about your risk for heart disease, speak to your primary care provider about your personal risk factors. To request an appointment with Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, call 479.463.8740.