Majority of Women Unaware When to be Screened for Heart Disease

The American Heart Association recommends screening for heart disease in women beginning at age 20 to prevent and treat early onset of cardiovascular disease risks. However, a recent survey conducted by the Orlando Health Heart Institute found that only 8% of women were aware that screening should begin in their 20s, and the majority did not know the exact age was 20 years.

The survey, conducted by Orlando Health, polled more than a thousand women. They found that 60% of women believed that screenings for heart disease were not recommended until their 30s. In addition, most women reported that they thought heart screening did not begin until age 41.
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The national survey illustrates a gap between recommendations and public awareness for heart screening, and shows a need for more education on heart health in women.

“Atherosclerosis, cholesterol plaque in heart arteries, begins developing in our teens and early twenties,” Dr Carolina Demori, a cardiologist at the Women’s Cardiac Center at the Orlando Health Heart Institute, stated. Early screening for cardiac disease risks could prevent minor plaque in the arteries from causing major cardiovascular events later in life, such as heart attack or stroke.

Women should begin regularly seeing a doctor by age 20, and discuss with a doctor if an electrocardiogram or other heart tests are needed to uncover any heart conditions. BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, and glucose levels should be measured at each visit and monitored to minimize risks for cardiovascular diseases and events.

In addition to screening, a healthy diet and exercise routine should be implemented as a way to prevent and minimize heart disease risks.

“Women need to be educated and understand how they can prevent heart disease,” stated Dr Demori.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Survey: most women don’t know age heart screenings should begin [press release]. Orlando, Florida: Orlando Health; January 23, 2017. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-01/m-smw011917.php.