Cardiovascular Disease

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a variety of different conditions, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, affecting the heart and blood vessel systems.

Why is CVD an issue for women?
Although men experience more heart attacks and strokes than women, women are more likely to die from CVD than men. CVD is the number one killer of all women in both the United States and New Jersey.

• In 2006, New Jersey women accounted for 53% of deaths, related to diseases of the heart.
  
  
• Also, 61% of New Jersey deaths due to stroke, were among women.
  
  
• Women’s risk of CVD and heart disease increases with age as estrogen levels decrease during and after menopause.
  
  
• African American and Mexican-American women have more risk factors for CVD than white women.
  
  
• African American women have a higher death rate from CVD than white women.
  
  
• Women experience different symptoms than men for heart attack:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Unusual upper body discomfort
• Shortness of breath,
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Unusual or unexplained fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea or feeling sick to your stomach,
• Stomach pain,
• Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
• If yes, call 9-1-1!

• For stroke, we all have to act FAST.  Look for these signs:

• F – Is the Face drooping to one side?
• A – Can the individual keep their Arms up?
• S – Is their Speech impaired?
• T – Time - If yes, call 9-1-1!  Brain cells are dying!

What is the OWH doing about CVD?
To raise awareness and educate the general public as well as professionals about heart disease in women, the OWH partners with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association  as well as the NJDHSS Heart and Stroke Prevention Program on their capacity building efforts to reduce CVD in New Jersey. The OWH participates in the AHA/ASA initiatives such as "Go Red for Women" and "Power to End Stroke" campaigns and events. 

The OWH also partners with the Health and Human Services' Office on Women’s Health women’s heart campaign entitled "Make the Call: Don’t Miss A Beat", as well as their other health driven campaigns.