Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. As women age, the likelihood of getting heart disease increases. Women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease and take steps to prevent it by practicing healthy lifestyle habits.

Heart disease includes a number of problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs.

Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood. It does not mean that the heart stops. Signs of heart failure are different for women and include:

• Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)
• Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
• Extreme tiredness
• Chest pressure

Heart arrhythmias are changes in the beat of the heart. Most people have felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or had chest pains at one time. These changes in heartbeat are harmless for most people. As you get older, you are more likely to have arrhythmias. Don't panic if you have a few flutters or if your heart races once in a while.

Early detection is key in avoiding heart disease. Know your risk factors and take the necessary steps to control them by getting a cardiovascular screen at Sanford. It could save your life! 

The greatest factors that contribute to heart disease are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history and age. It is important to review your lifestyle, family history and your general health. With this information, you and your provider can assess your risk and make a plan to avoid potential problems. Although you can't do much about your family history or your age, you can make lifestyle changes to avoid many of the other risk factors:

Don’t smoke.
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease in women. More than half of the heart attacks in women under 50 are related to smoking. By quitting smoking, you can lower your risk of heart attack by one third within 2 years. Women who smoke and use birth control pills increase their risk even more.

Control your blood pressure.
Treating high blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Losing weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are all ways to help control high blood pressure.

Control your cholesterol level.
If you don't know your level, ask your doctor to check it. Diet is a key part of lowering high cholesterol levels. However, some people may need to take medicine in addition to diet and exercise.

Maintain a healthy weight.
Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries. Exercise and a low-fat diet can help you lose weight. Being overweight gives you have a higher risk for many other health problems, especially diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Exercise regularly.
Remember, your heart is a muscle. It needs regular exercise to stay in shape.

Eat a low-fat diet.
Keep fat calories to 30% or less of the total calories you eat during a day and avoid saturated fat (the fat in meats and coconut oil).

Take care of diabetes.
If you have diabetes, regular exercise, weight control, a low-fat diet and regular doctor visits are important. If you need to take medicine for diabetes, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Be aware of chest pain.
Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you suffer from pain in your chest, shoulder, neck or jaw. Also notify your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or nausea that comes on quickly. Even if you’re not sure it is a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Know your family history.
Having a father or brother with heart disease before age 55, or a mother or sister with heart disease before age 65, are factors that contribute to heart disease.