Heart Disease Risk in Women |  | 
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Most women don't realize that their risk factors for heart disease are different than those of men. While age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and family history are known risk factors, there are other factors particular to women.
Women's Unique Risk Factors
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Women who have high job stress have a 40% increase in cardiovascular disease and an 88% increase in heart attack risk
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Conditions involving chronic inflammation such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis nearly double a woman's risk for heart disease
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Pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke later in life
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Metabolic syndrome - a combination of fat around your abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high triglycerides - has a greater impact on women than on men
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Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than in men
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Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels
Mercy's Women's Heart Health pprogram offers women a unique risk assessment HealthScreen. To schedule your appointment, call 916.733.6425 (no physician referral needed).
To assess your risk online, visit the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Heart CheckUp. This is an assessment that can be done without a password, through the American Heart Association's web site.
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