Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease and stroke affect all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Coronary heart disease, the most common form of heart disease, affects the blood vessels (or coronary arteries) of the heart. It causes angina and heart attacks. Angina is a pain in the chest that happens when a part of the heart does not get enough blood. A heart attack can cause chest pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes, or comes and goes, spreading pain to one or both arms, back, jaw, or stomach, or cold sweats and nausea. Some women don't have these symptoms but may have other symptoms, such as an upset stomach, a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, and lightheadedness. A heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart and maybe even death. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or see your health care provider right away.

There are two types of stroke. An ischemic (iss-kee-mik) stroke happens when a blood vessel that goes to the brain is blocked, and blood can’t get to the brain. A hemorrhagic (heh-muh-ra-jik) stroke happens when a blood vessel breaks and blood goes into the brain. Sometimes a person can have a “mini stroke,” or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a stroke that happens when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked for a short time and less blood reaches the brain. A stroke could cause problems that may affect speech, language, movement, vision, balance, hearing, breathing, and swallowing. A stroke could also cause death. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, not exercising, and smoking all put women at risk for heart disease and stroke.

To avoid heart attack and stroke, the American Heart Association advises people to take the following steps:

• Don't smoke.
• Control your blood pressure. Ask your health care provider what a healthy number is for you and how often you need your blood pressure checked.
• Eat healthy.
• Lower your cholesterol (fatty substance in your blood) to the right level, based on your personal risk. Talk to your health care provider about a healthy level for you.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your health care provider what a healthy weight is for you.
• Have a normal fasting blood glucose level (below 110 mg/dL). Ask your health care provider when you should be tested.