When we talk about heart disease so often there is a cloud of negative optics ie - “Don’t smoke, don’t drink too much, don’t sit too much “ etc. While this is good advice, let us look closer as to the “why” -meaning there is more to our individual life stories that connects us to a positive, sustainable and appealing perspective.“Smoking will cause vessel disease to this one body I am given therefore making it hard to breathe and robbing me of life’s possibilities. I want to stop smoking to be rewarded with less illness, not being limited and way more money in my pocket”. This is not an article to lecture people about what not to do - it is a list of updates in heart health that each woman can take in, reflect on and use with a positive lens - “how can this information be applied to me. “. The 5th decade of life in particular is the real trajectory point for most of us concerning who will develop heart disease. Many heart specialists say they can see a heart attack coming 10 years before it happens!!!! The following is a list of updated heart health facts specifically for women. The long and short of it is - women and men are unique - no news flash there. This applies to hearts as well. I wish you all the best in February -American Heart Month!! 

1. Only 8% of women are aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. 
2. Heart attack symptoms in women are often different than those of men. Women tend to have milder, more vague symptoms with less chest pain. Women have more small vessel disease than men. 
3. Diabetes is a more powerful risk factor for heart disease in women than men. 
4. Women are more obese and more physically inactive than men. The importance of a healthy weight matters more in women than men. 
5. History of preeclampsia, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS),gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension are all risk factors for heart disease . This history should be shared with your clinician. 
6. 42% of women die within a year of having a heart attack compared to 24% of men.
7. Estrogen may offer protection from heart attacks in the premenopause and possibly early menopause. 
8. The drug class known as statins significantly decreases risk of heart attack. 
9. Untreated hot flashes, poor sleep and trauma history are risk factors for heart disease. 
10. High triglycerides are a bigger risk factor for women than men. 
11. It is never too late to stop smoking. 
12. Aspirin is a good idea for some women but not all. Please consult your clinician. Aspiringuide.com is a good website as well. 
13. Apple shaped women have more heart disease than those with a pear shaped body. 
14. Check out the MenoApp for menopause specific information as well as Cuyunamed.org and the American Heart Association. 
15. General treatment recommendations: Stop smoking, controlling blood pressure ( less than 130/80 is goal), tight diabetes control and sustainable behavioral changes, enjoying a low trans fat diet. 
16. Less is known about female angina.
17. Social connection is incredibly important for women’s heart health. 
18. Women with a strong family history of heart disease may be good candidates for coronary artery CT scan or CIMT ultrasound tests. 
19. The American Heart Association guidelines state for patients in there 50’s - a lipid panel and blood pressure should be checked annually. 
20. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Score is a very good thing to know! Also known as ASCVD risk score. This is a 10 year score for having a heart attack and what treatment should be considered. The score is calculated using such factors as your age, blood pressure, cholesterol etc. 

Let’s do what we can to put a positive spin on our lives. Women are tested less for heart disease than men and our symptoms are more vague. Don’t ignore subtle symptoms - and be your best advocate.

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