Statistics About Heart Disease

Interesting Statistics About Heart Disease And Women

For many years, when it came to studying heart disease, women were a distinct afterthought. The studies have been done based on men, and never a care was given to even the idea that statistics about heart disease might be different or women.

Now, things are better. Researchers are well aware that a woman s body is different than a man s, and they recognize that studies will find other differences to diseases based on gender. Still, however, women make up only 25% of all participants in heart-related research studies.

When you take a look at the statistics about heart disease, you can find some interesting information, especially as it pertains to women.

How Prevalent Is Heart Disease Among Women?

What do the statistics show about heart disease among women? Studies show that there are currently about 8 million women who have heart disease. That breaks down to about 10% of women ages 45 64, and 25% of women 65 and older. Nearly 13% of the women that are 45 or older have already had a heart attack. 435,000 women have heart attacks each year, with the average age being 70 years old.

How Dangerous Is It?

Heart disease kills 32% of American women, overall. Each year, 267,000 women die from heart attacks. Heart attacks kill six times more women than breast cancer.

Who Is Most At Risk?

There are some basic things that increase the risk of heart disease. One is smoking. Women who smoke are at greater risk of heart attack 19 years earlier than non-smokers. Another is diabetes. Women with diabetes are more likely to have heart attacks as well at a rate of 2-3 times more likely. High blood pressure, a contributing factor to heart disease is much more common in women on oral contraceptives. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, and statistics about heart disease show that 23% of white women, 36% of Mexican American women, and 38% of black women are obese. Directly connected, women who are sedentary and get little or no substantial physical exercise are at much greater risk, and statistics about heart disease show that a high percentage of women in all racial groups are getting very little exercise. (49% Asian/Pacific Islanders, 57% blacks, 57% Hispanics, and 39% white women)

How Do Women Compare To Men?

Women are much more likely to die within a year of the first heart attack (38% vs. 25%). More women have another heart attack within six years (35% vs. 18%), and more women than men will be disabled by heart failure within six years (an astonishing 46% vs. 22%). Women are more than twice as likely to die after bypass surgery than men.

What Can We Learn From This?

Given the information we are learning from the statistics about heart disease, it is crucial that we study heart disease as it relates to women with a greater intensity and determination. Our future as a gender may depend on it.