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Cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD, is the number one
killer of men and women of all ethnic groups in the United
States. Cardiovascular diseases include such ailments as high
blood pressure, arrythmia, valve disease, congestive heart
failure and stroke. Though worries of more "high profile"
diseases such as breast cancer are on the forefront in many
women's minds, the hard truth is that one in four women are
affected with some form of cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are things such as high
blood pressure, obesity, abnormal blood glucose, and even the
use of tobacco, among other factors. When caught at an early
age, these risk factors can be muted to help prevent manifesting
themselves as cardiovascular disease later on.
Altering your lifestyle can help to lower your chances for
cardiovascular diseases. Such alterations as eating a diet that
is low in fat and cholesterol, adding more fruits and vegetables
to your diet, drinking enough water daily, and exercising for
half an hour a day are all ways that physicians suggest can
assist in lowering your chances for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular diseases are known as silent killers, as they
often have no symptoms. If you think you may be having any
symptoms of heart disease, you should speak to your doctor about
the many tests available. Doctors often begin with simple tests,
the results of which can lead to tests that are more complex.
In connection with cardiovascular disease are "extra"
heartbeats, which typically happen when there is an irritation
in the lower part of the heart's pumping chambers. They
interrupt the normal heart rhythm, which can feel like a missed
beat. This can actually be a harmless "quirk" of your body's
functions, or can lead to problems that are far more serious.
If a woman has these palpitations or any other symptoms such as
dizziness, blurred vision, or shortness of breath, she should
contact her doctor right away. A complete medical history,
physical exam, and other tests will be run to determine the
cause of these behaviors, which can be anything from
stress-related behavior to something far more dangerous. The
advice and consultation of a physician where heart disease is
concerned is the only way to go.
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