The following is a continuing series of educational articles brought to you weekly by Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center in Leitchfield and the News-Gazette as a public service to the community.

Viewed in the past as primarily a man's disease, heart disease is, in fact, the leading cause of death among women, just as it is in men. One of 2 women in the United States dies of heart disease or stroke; twice as many women as men are likely to die from a heart attack.

Despite the steadily rising awareness among the public of women's health issues -- from osteoporosis to breast cancer -- this disease which is the most life-threatening is frequently unrecognized and undertreated. Heart disease kills more women each year than all types of cancer, accidents, and diabetes combined.

With women having heart attacks with almost the same frequency as men, it is paramount that women understand that heart disease is a serious threat.

To compound the problem of recognizing women and heart disease as a key medical issue, researchers have found that, traditionally, women have not been treated as aggressively as men for heart attacks/heart disease.

Physicians need to be more aware that women will often have atypical presentation with a heart attack. Prompt treatment in such patients is essential.

With doctors and patients working together to identify heart disease and heart attacks in women, more lives will be saved.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for heart attack are the same for both sexes, but women need to be more aware of other issues that can influence these factors. High blood pressure affects millions of Americans, but certain conditions and medications, such as pregnancy and oral contraceptives, also can raise blood pressure. High blood cholesterol, especially readings over 240 mg.dl, is another factor leading to heart attack; women over the age of 55 tend of have higher blood cholesterol levels than men their age.

Other risk factors for heart attack that can be reduced through a modified life-style include smoking cessation, maintenance of healthy diet and weight, and exercise. Added risk factors that are harder, if not impossible, to control are diabetes, advancing age, or a family history of heart disease.

Women should consult their doctors if any of these risk factors exist. First and foremost, if a woman experiences any unusual or unfamiliar symptoms that she thinks may be a heart attack, such as, chest discomfort, dizziness, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath, she should seek medical help immediately.

Heart disease is both preventable and treatable; and as doctors learn more about what causes the problem, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is much that you can do to prevent it from ever occurring.

More information about women and heart disease can be obtained from the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.org, or the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm.