The exam also checks for growth of the uterus and the ovaries. So we do control our state of health. Heart attacks are the number one killer of women today. Once a woman reaches menopause, her hormones drop and unless she gets hormone replacement therapy, her cholesterol may start to rise. This, along with increased stress, can lead to heart attack.
Stress plays an important role in cardiac disease.
Women are finding themselves in the competitive job market and working longer hours as they juggle job and home duties. The medical profession is changing but many physicians still do not give credibility to the woman who presents with chest pain. Women need to become aware of this and demand appropriate diagnostic testing. The risk factors for cardiac disease are high cholesterol, stress, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, hypertension and family history. Making these changes or preventing them from occurring may help avoid a heart attack.