One in ten American women 45-64 years of age has some form of heart disease, and this number increases to one in five over the age 65. Another 1.6 million have had a stroke. Both heart disease and stroke are known as cardiovascular diseases which are serious disorders of the heart and blood systems. Women need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heart disease and not ignore the fact that they are at risk for heart disease. By decreasing one's risk factors for heart disease and stroke, you may be able to live a healthier life by preventing these vascular diseases.
Risk factors are habits or traits that make a person more likely to develop a disease.
Many of the risk factors for heart disease are controllable. Make healthy changes to improve your life. Internal Medicine Associates has an excellent cardiology staff that can discuss your risk factors for heart disease and stroke. They are also able to perform many preventive procedures and tests, and educate you regarding your health habits in order for you to live a heart-healthy life. See the IMA Cardiology Web page for more information.