Women taking HRT should have a low risk for stroke, heart disease, blood clots, or breast cancer.

The American Heart Association has published guidelines regarding prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The guidelines recommend the following lifestyle changes:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco.
• Get plenty of exercise. Women who need to lose or keep off weight should get at least 60 - 90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days. To maintain your weight, get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, preferably at least 5 days a week.
• Women who recently had a heart attack, angina, angioplasty, or a stent procedure should join a cardiac rehabilitation program.
• Eat a heart healthy diet. The diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, fish, legumes, and sources of protein low in saturated fat.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Women should strive for a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 and a waist smaller than 35 inches.
• Get checked and treatment, if necessary, for depression.
• High-risk women should take omega-3 fatty acids supplements.

Keep blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure drugs should be used when blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg. (Persons with diabetes may need medication at lower levels.)

New guidelines do not recommend antioxidant supplements or folic acid to prevent heart disease in women.

Aspirin therapy (dose 75 mg to 325 mg a day) or a drug called clopidogrel may be prescribed for women at high risk for heart disease. Aspirin therapy is recommended for women over age 65 to prevent heart attack and stroke as long as blood pressure is controlled and the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Regular use of aspirin is not recommended for healthy women under age 65 to prevent heart attacks.

For more information about the treatment of heart disease, see:

• Coronary artery disease
• Stable angina
• Atrial fibrillation

See also:

• Diabetes
• Stroke

Images

Acute MI

Heart, front view

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Review Date: 05/22/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Director, Northwestern Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)