FLORENCE — Cardiovascular disease has been ranked the leading cause of death among women in the United States for many years, surpassing all forms of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite its prevalence, many women are unaware of their personal risk factors for developing heart disease and what symptoms they should look out for, which can differ from those experienced by men.

Prioritizing heart health through education, prevention and early detection is an essential component in improving patient outcomes.

While heart disease has historically been considered more common in males, women tend to be diagnosed later in life and have poorer outcomes.

As a result, it is imperative to understand the risks of developing heart disease and what lifestyle changes may reduce those risks.

Risk factors for heart disease among women include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, stress, depression, family history, advanced age (most common to cause death among those aged 65 and older), certain autoimmune diseases (lupus and rheumatoid arthritis) and hormonal factors (PCOS, menopause, and pregnancy-related complications).

Although hormonal factors are often debated as to whether or not they play a significant role in women’s heart health, most recent data suggests that hormones influence a woman’s risk of heart disease throughout different life stages.

Prior to menopause, higher levels of estrogen are thought to offer some protection against heart disease by improving blood vessel function and cholesterol balance.

However, during menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, this protective mechanism is thought to diminish, leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

Hormone replacement therapy is heavily debated as it has been speculated to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in some women when started later in life.

Despite this, women suffering from menopausal symptoms should discuss their specific risks with their providers to determine whether or not the benefits of therapy outweigh the risks.

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome typically experience insulin resistance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which all increase the risk of heart disease.

The use of hormonal contraceptives may elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of blood clots, especially in women who smoke, are overweight or have other risk factors.

Awareness and management of risk factors through lifestyle modifications and keeping up with regular health care appointments are crucial for reducing heart disease in women.

Emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices and managing chronic conditions can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends engaging in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week to support optimal cardiac function.

Examples of moderate-intensity physical activity include brisk walking, water aerobics, dancing, gardening, tennis and biking, while vigorous exercises include running, swimming laps and weight training.

If prolonged periods of physical activity are difficult at first, start out in small intervals throughout the day and work your way up to your goal.

Aside from increased physical activity, making healthy dietary choices is an imperative component in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Individual dietary choices should always be tailored to any underlying health conditions and personal health care goals with the overall recommendation to focus on healthy, well-balanced meals with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins (nuts, fish, lean meats), minimally processed foods, and salt and sugar intake in moderation.

In addition to exercising and eating healthy, it is beneficial to stop unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking alcohol excessively or using recreational drugs as these things increase the risk of heart disease.

Keeping up with regular health care appointments and managing chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and stress through lifestyle changes and medication adherence also are vital to decreasing the risk of heart disease.

While understanding the risk of developing heart disease and how to manage those risks is important, it is also beneficial to understand that there are many different types of heart disease.

Coronary artery disease, heart attack, arrhythmias, heart failure, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease, aortic disease, rheumatic heart disease and peripheral artery disease are all among the most commonly diagnosed heart conditions.

While all cardiac concerns are serious, coronary artery disease, caused by plaque buildup in arteries that supply blood to the heart, is the leading cause of heart disease and can result in chest pain, heart attacks or heart failure.

Heart attacks, which are generally the most feared heart condition, can occur when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, most often by a clot.

Symptoms of heart attacks in women can vary from those experienced by men, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Women may still experience classic symptoms of a heart attack, like chest pain or pressure.

However, they are more likely than men to experience more subtle symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, pain in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach, dizziness or lightheadedness, unexplained fatigue and cold sweats.

Knowing these subtle signs is critical, as immediate medical attention should be sought during a heart attack to increase the potential for timely treatment and optimized outcomes.

Understanding all types of heart disease is important, and each type requires disease-specific diagnosis and treatment.

Prioritizing heart health is essential for women to ensure they are able to live long, healthy lives.

By recognizing specific risk factors, understanding symptoms and taking proactive steps toward prevention, women can significantly reduce their chances of developing heart disease.

Regular check-ups, a balanced diet, frequent exercise, stress management and education about heart health are essential tools in combating heart disease.

If you, or anyone you know, experiences a sudden onset of chest pain (pressure, squeezing, and/or tightness), shortness of breath, dizziness, vision changes, palpitations, sweating, or lightheadedness, you should report to your nearest emergency room for prompt evaluation.