Heart Disease Contrary to Popular Term Paper

Macabasco-O'Connell et.al say that the stress levels for women in this group is oftentimes higher than non-minority women in higher socioeconomic groups. The high amount of stress that these women experience is usually accompanied with depression and studies have shown that depression can also lead to a greater risk of heart disease (2, 3). Because many women from lower socio-economic statuses are uninsured or underinsured, they run the risk of being treated once their conditions have advanced or not being treated at all. Many women in this group may drink and use tobacco products heavily and do not have healthy diets. Nor do they get any type of physical activity to reduce the risk of heart disease. Many of these women also believe that some form of cancer (such as breast cancer) is the leading cause of death in women and therefore they do not focus on heart disease or take any measures to prevent this disease because they are not informed.

There is so much information to be found on heart disease. Yet, many are not aware that it is the leading cause of death in not only men, but women also. Many women experience the symptoms of heart disease and do not know it. They mistake these symptoms as a reaction to dealing with the stresses of the day or just believe that dizziness, shortness of breath and heart palpitations are normal as women get older.Organizations such as the American Heart Diseases and others have done much to bring this issue to the forefront. However, women must take ownership and responsibility for their health. Symptoms, no matter how small they are must be checked out. Regular checkups and screenings are an important and proactive way to prevent heart disease. Small changes can make a big different in lowering the risk of heart disease in women.

Works Cited

American Heart Association Website: (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/) Accessed on July 7, 2010.

Banks, Angela D. "Women and Heart Disease: Missed Opportunities." Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 53.5, (2008): 430-440.

Macabasco-O'Connell, Aurelia, Crawford, Michael H., Stotts, Nancy, Stewart, Anita, and Erika S. Froelicher. "Gender and racial differences in psychosocial factors of low-income patients with heart failure." Heart & Lung, 39.1….....