Heart Disease Ranks Number One Killer of Women

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Heart disease refers to several kinds of illnesses that affect the cardiovascular system. In the United States (U.S.), it is the most common condition responsible for heart attack and high mortality rates. Based on the prevalence rates, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. (CDC, 2023). Its occurrence among women is instigated by conditions such as heart attacks, arrhythmia, and heart failure. As such, heart disease leads to low quality of life and high mortality among women.

The heart disease condition has had impacts on people close to me. A month ago, I lost a childhood friend to the disease. While on a family vacation in Florida, she experienced a medical emergency. On arrival at the hospital, she was diagnosed with a heart attack. The caregivers medically induced her into a coma. Unfortunately, she did not make it. Since she was a close friend, I attended her funeral. I stood by the graveside during the burial and reflected on our childhood. I could remember us playing and enjoying our childhood. At that time, we were young, innocent, free from worries, and avoided stress or health problems. Our parents were critical of our health and safety. As such, we were always healthy.

As I stood by the graveside, I could reflect on how those days were filled with playing, running, laughing, and hugging my friend. Foundationally, we were happy without a care in the chaotic world. After losing my friend, the situation made me think about my health and mortality. It was at this point that I realized my day was also coming. At that moment, God will call me home, and I hope I would have been good, forgiving, loving, and merciful, and asked for forgiveness for whatever sins I have committed and made it to heaven.

Heart disease ranks as the number one killer of women in the United States. According to the CDC, learning about heart disease and ways to keep a healthy heart is essential. You can keep a healthy heart by managing your stress levels, knowing your blood pressure, checking for diabetes, knowing your cholesterol, quitting smoking, being physically active, and choosing healthy foods and drinks (CDC, 2023). As women, our heart health is important.

Reference

Lower your risk for the number 1 killer of women. (2023, February 3). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/heartdisease/index.html

Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease

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By Reginia Dodson, Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

 

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and the African American population is disproportionately affected by this disease. African Americans have a higher incidence of heart disease and a higher mortality rate from heart disease compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Several factors contribute to the higher incidence of heart disease among African Americans. These factors include socioeconomic status, lack of access to healthcare services, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity (American Heart Association, 2021).

Light exercise is any activity that raises your heart rate and breathing but still allows you to carry on a conversation. Examples of light exercise include walking, cycling, swimming, and gardening. These activities can have numerous benefits for heart health. For instance, light exercise can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity (American Heart Association, 2018). All of these factors are key contributors to the development of heart disease.

Several studies have demonstrated that light exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease. One study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, followed 24,000 women for 11 years and found that those who engaged in light physical activity, such as walking, had a 30% lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those who were sedentary (Manson et al, 2002). Similarly, another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that light exercise, such as brisk walking, can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease (Kujala et al, 2003). Light exercise can also provide other health benefits, such as improving mental health, reducing the risk of obesity, and improving overall physical function (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

In conclusion, physical activity is an essential component of overall cardiovascular health, and light exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of heart disease. Light to moderate physical activity for as little as two and a half hours per week can also provide health benefits. By incorporating light exercise into our daily routines, we can reduce our risk of heart disease and improve overall health outcomes.

References

 American Heart Association. (2021). American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults

 American Heart Association. (2018). Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life.

 Manson, J. E., Greenland, P., LaCroix, A. Z., et al. (2002). Walking Compared with Vigorous Exercise for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women. Journal of the American Heart Association, 107(24), 2999-3004.

 Kujala, U. M., Kaprio, J., Sarna, S., et al. (2003). Physical Activity and Other Health Behaviors in Men and Women: The Finnish Twin Cohort. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(6), 512-518.

 Mayo Clinic. (2018). Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity.