ANSWER: You are correct that heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. Many risk factors are the same for both genders. But there are some differences between men and women that can have an impact on an individual’s risk of heart disease.

One of most significant heart disease risk factors for both men and women is smoking. Nicotine can narrow your arteries, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining. That makes the vessels more likely to become thick and stiff, a condition known as arteriosclerosis. Eventually arteriosclerosis limits blood flow, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Because of this, heart attacks are more common in smokers than in nonsmokers.

Studies have shown that smoking is a more dangerous risk factor in women compared to men. A woman who smokes is twice as likely to have a heart attack as one who does not. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways you can lower your heart disease risk.

People of both genders who are obese also have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Excess weight is particularly dangerous because it often triggers other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Each of those disorders on its own can make a person more susceptible to heart disease, as well.

Again, women with these three medical complications of obesity have even higher heart disease risk than men. A large study showed that women who are obese experience heart attacks eleven years earlier, on average, than similar women who are not obese.

Research suggests that individuals who have conditions that cause inflammation are more likely to develop heart disease, too. Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are more common in women. Both increase heart disease risk by at least two to three times. Some rheumatologic disorders that cause inflammation more often in men, such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, can also raise heart disease risk.

Several factors unique to women affect the likelihood of developing heart disease. First, women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy, specifically preeclampsia or toxemia, have a higher tendency to develop heart disease later in life.

Second, the female hormone estrogen appears to have a protective effect on women, lowering their risk of heart disease. After menopause, that protection decreases as the level of estrogen in a woman’s body goes down, making postmenopausal women more vulnerable to heart disease. Women who have premature menopause — at age 40 or younger — and who do not receive hormone therapy are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than other women.

All the factors mentioned so far can be prevented, treated or managed in some way. But a significant risk factor for heart disease that cannot be controlled is family history. If you have a parent or a sibling who had a heart attack at the age of 55 and younger for men or 65 and younger for women, then your risk goes up.

Fortunately, more than 80 percent of heart disease is preventable by living a heart healthy lifestyle. That lifestyle includes: eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats getting regular physical activity, being at a healthy body weight and not smoking.

Everyone can look at their individual situation and make positive changes based on their circumstances. In many cases, those changes are likely to lower the risk for developing heart disease and increase the possibilities for a long and heart-healthy life. — Sharon L. Mulvagh, M.D., Women’s Heart Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post Tuesday Q and A: Differences between men and women can impact risk of heart disease appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

February is American Heart Month and a great opportunity to focus on the importance of heart disease prevention. On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 9 a.m. CT, heart specialists Sharon Mulvagh, M.D., and Rekha Mankad, M.D., will join us to discuss unrecognized dangers of heart disease. Some might think heart disease is a more serious problem for men, but it's the no. 1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. We'll also discuss why the numbers 5, 10 and 8 are so important.  Please join us.

To listen to the program LIVE, click here.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment February 15, 2014 (right click MP3)

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates. On Twitter follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

February is American Heart Month and a great opportunity to focus on the importance of heart disease prevention.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 9 a.m. CT, heart specialists Sharon Mulvagh, M.D., and Rekha Mankad, M.D., will join us to discuss unrecognized dangers of heart disease. Some might think heart disease is a more serious problem for men, but it's the no. 1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. We'll also discuss why the numbers 5, 10 and 8 are so important.  Please join us.

Myth or Matter of Fact:  Sitting for most of the day is worse for your health than no exercise at all.

To listen to the program LIVE, click here.

For future topics, click on Upcoming Programs.
To listen to archived shows, click on Episodes.
If there is a topic you would like us to address, drop us a note.  Click here to create a guest account.

The post Heart Disease Risks: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

MINNEAPOLIS — Feb. 5, 2014 — Heart disease affects all of us, either directly or indirectly. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. In an effort to make a positive difference in women’s heart health, Progresso Heart Healthy soup is launching “The Heart Project,” in support of Mayo Clinic. The Heart Project is designed to inspire people to learn the facts, take action regarding their heart health, and spread the word with others during February for heart health month.

The Heart Project site — www.theheartproject.com — hosted by Progresso with content from Mayo Clinic, will encourage people to take the Heart Health Quiz. The quiz offers tools and information to educate them on the disease while sharing tips and ideas to help lower one’s risk of heart disease. Those who take the quiz are encouraged to share the information with a friend or loved one and start a conversation about heart disease.

“Heart disease is the nation’s number one cause of death for both men and women,” said Sharon Mulvagh, M.D., director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic. “What’s most astonishing is that almost 80% of heart disease is preventable, and even small lifestyle changes can have a big impact. Making a difference in your heart health is easier and more enjoyable than you may think.”

Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Mulvagh are available in the downloads.

Facts*

• Heart disease kills more people every year than all forms of cancer combined
• Only 3 percent of Americans practice all four primary behaviors recommended for heart health: not smoking, healthy weight, diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly
• 64% of women who’ve had a heart attack showed no symptoms of heart disease before the attack
• More than six hundred thousand Americans die from heart disease each year; and 1.2 million Americans suffer from heart attacks
• One in three adults is diagnosed with heart disease

Mayo Clinic recommends an easy formula for improving heart health: Eat 5, Move 10, Sleep 8. By eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, moving at least 10 extra minutes a day, and trying to get a solid 8 hours of sleep, a person can start to significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

“Progresso and Mayo Clinic are working together to make a positive difference in women’s heart health, by driving awareness, education and action,” said John Weston, chief marketing officer at Mayo Clinic. “Our goal always at Mayo Clinic is to focus on the needs of the patient, and we think this is an opportunity to positively influence the health of many. We are proud to have two Minnesota companies work together to support such an important cause.”

Additionally, Progresso Heart Healthy soups will be making a donation to Mayo Clinic for activities that include heart health programs for women.

“At Progresso, we understand the importance of heart health in America,” said Myer Joy, Vice President of Marketing, Progresso. “Our consumers are making choices to manage their lives and are looking for inherently heart healthy meal solutions that also include bold, flavorful foods. That’s one of the reasons our chefs created this line of 10 Heart Healthy soups to preserve great taste while easily fitting into a heart-healthy, balanced diet.”

###

About Mayo Clinic

Celebrating 150 years of serving humanity in 2014, Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit 150years.mayoclinic.org, www.mayoclinic.org and newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.

Mayo Clinic’s heart program is one of the largest, most integrated programs in the world. With more than 300 specialists working together to treat virtually every heart condition and disease, the depth and breadth of its practice is what positions Mayo Clinic to be consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top heart programs by U.S. News and World Report.

About Progresso Heart Healthy Soup

Crafted for taste, Progresso Heart Healthy soups are made from authentic recipes using only the highest quality ingredients. Founded as an Italian import company by Vincent Taormina over 100 years ago, Progresso has grown to become the most popular brand of ready-to-serve soup in the United States. Progresso is a member of the family of brands within General Mills (NYSE: GIS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

*Source: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!

MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Johnson and Mike Siemienas, General Mills, 763-764-6364, Email: media.line@genmills.com

Ginger Plumbo and Traci Klein, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Progresso Kicks Off The Heart Project in Support Of Mayo Clinic During Heart Health Month appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.