Although women are less prone to heart disease as compared with men, it must be known that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women today. The risk is in fact higher for women for certain profile of the population. For example, women smokers are several times more prone to heart disease than male smokers.

Heart diseases are caused by many different factors. For example old age, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetic and a sedentary lifestyle can cause heart disease to develop. In addition, menopause in women can also causes heart disease.

Understanding the causes of heart disease is the important first step toward prevention of the disease. Prevention of the disease after all is much better than cure. In this regard, people at risk of heart disease should have regular check-ups and also stick to the instructions by their doctors.

Knowing the causes of heart disease will help you in taking preventive measures such as reducing the level of cholesterol, keeping to a healthy body weight, eating healthy foods and exercise regularly. A change in lifestyle and diet will go a long way in removing many of the causes of heart disease. If you feel that you are at risk of develop heart disease, consult a doctor as soon as possible. Early and proper treatment will prevent more serious conditions from developing. Although heart disease is basically unavoidable, there are certain things that you can do to prevent it, for example, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. By keeping yourself healthy, you will not only prevent heart disease; you will also be better prepared to deal with many other ailments and health conditions.

It is important to understand that heart attack is triggered by two different factors. The first is the pathological buildup of abnormal plaque in the arteries, plaque that gradually hardens through calcification. The other factor involves the blood clotting that blocks blood flow to the heart. One of the latest theories on coronary artery disease is that it is an inflammatory process, which is characterized by repeated cycles of irritation, injury and healing of the blood vessels.

The Problem of Late Diagnosis

Doctors today are better equipped to diagnose and treat heart disease in women. However, in many cases, the diagnosis is made very late such that effective treatment is not possible. Often, a diagnosis of women coronary heart disease is made after a stroke or a heart attack. Often, the contributing factors to heart disease in women are due to cigarette smoking, high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity and even suffering from diabetes.

A woman who actively sough to eliminate these risk factors will have a better chance of survival as well as not being struck down by the many potential heart diseases. It may mean having to change one lifestyle for the better.

Heart disease in women can also be caused by age, effect of menopause and heredity. Thus, women need to know the risk factors that cause heart diseases, negate their effects and avoid aggravating any existing condition.

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