• One in 10 American women between the ages of 45 to 64 has some form of heart disease.
• One in four women in the United States over age 65 has some form of heart disease.
• A higher percentage of women than men, age 50 and older, have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher, a leading cause of heart disease.
• Women are more likely than men to die of heart attacks within a few weeks after the attack, in part because women have heart attacks later in life than men do.
• Within one year after a heart attack, 38 percent of women will die (compared with 25 percent of men).
• Within six years after a heart attack, 35 percent of women will have another one (compared with 18 percent of men), and 46 percent of women will experience heart failure (versus 22 percent of men).

Because many women don't even know that they have heart disease, it's important to know the warning signs and when it's time to see your doctor.  If you know what symptoms to look for, you can work with your physician to treat them early.

Your best defense is knowledge. Learn as much as you can about your own heart health and take an active role your health.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms, get medical attention immediately:

• Pain, squeezing, fullness, or pressure in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and returns
• Pain that moves to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Chest discomfort, accompanied by lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath (fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath are especially common in women.).

Some less common symptoms are:

• Unusual chest, stomach, or abdominal pain
• Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain)
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing without chest pain
• Anxiety, weakness, or fatigue for no apparent reason
• Heart palpitations, breaking out in a cold sweat, or paleness

One of the main reasons heart disease kills so many American women is because many women don't even know they have it.  Unfortunately, there are risk factors such as increasing age, family history, and race that you can't change. The good news is that many risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be controlled with lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Risks I Can Change

• High Blood Pressure
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Being physically inactive
• Chronic Stress
• High Triglyceride/cholesterol levels
• Type 2 Diabetes

Each risk factor increases a woman's danger of heart disease.  And, having more than one risk factor is especially serious.  The message is clear: Every woman needs to take her heart disease risk seriously - take action now to reduce that risk.

Now for the good news. There is no better time than now to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).  You are in charge if your own destiny, especially if you start making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

• Don't smoke, and if you do, quit.  Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women.  Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer.
• Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life.  Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
• Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active.  Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
• Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.
• Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose.  Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

Become a member today and take charge of your health.

As a member of Altru's HeartAdvantage program, you'll receive information on how you can reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke along with special member benefits.

Throughout the year, members are pre-notified of screenings and invited to special events focusing on women and heart disease.  When you provide your email address, you will receive periodic up-to-date information about Altru's health and other information.

Click here to join us today and receive your Heart Health Kit specially designed for women or sign up for our eNewsletter.

Once you've learned about heart disease, make an appointment with your physician to learn more about the care and treatment of your own unique heart.  It's a move that quite simply could save your life.

In addition to the latest in Altru's heart health news and exclusive invitations to events, members of Altru's HeartAdvantage also receive a member benefits card.  This card entitles members to special offers and discounts and participating businesses*. Offers from partner organizations will be honored when you present your card at the time of purchase.

A special thank you to David Badman of Badman Designs for designing and producing the beautiful pieces of art distributed to each of Altru's partner organizations.

Not a member yet? Click here to sign up.

Scroll through to learn about the special offers given to Altru's HeartAdvantage members.

• Altru's Medical Fitness Center
  Reduced monthly rate ($23/month) for fitness membership
• Altru's Nutrition Therapy
  $10 off a grocery store tour, indirect calorimetry test, Eat Right Live Well class or Healthy Creations class
• Curves
  2100 S. Columbia Road
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  50% off start up and one week free
• Flower Bug
  1214 South Washington Street
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  20% Discount
• Altru Family YMCA 
  Free two week trial pass
• Salon South
  4551 South Washington
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  
  • Heidi (701.739.4476)
    $10 off a cut and color
  • Leigh (701.757.7575)
    15% off all products
  • Valerie (218.779.0963)
    15% off all products
    
• North Dakota Museum of Art
  261 Centennial Dr. Stop 7305
  Grand Forks, ND 58202
  10% off any menu item
• Porpoura
  Inside Columbia Mall
  15% Discount
• Rose Flower Shop
  1375 Columbia Rd. S.
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  20% Discount
• Sanders 1907
  22 S. 3rd Street
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  Gift certificates to be given to members at upcoming events
• The Coffee Company
  2100 Columbia S. Road
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  10% Discount
• True Colors
  6 3rd St. South
  Grand Forks, ND 58201
  15% Discount
• Truyu Aesthetic Center
  10% discount on all products and non surgical procedures
  (Discount cannot be combined with any other offer or used on dermatology appointments.)

*Discounts are subject to change at anytime. View this website periodically for the most up-to-date listing of benefits.