New Study: More Women Under 45 Dying of Heart Disease
Reported November 21, 2007
For decades, heart disease death-rates have been falling. But a new study shows a disturbing trend — more women under 45 are dying of heart disease due to clogged arteries. Eye on Health spoke with a local heart specialist, and a woman who warns others to be careful.
Las Vegas resident, Melanie Baldwin speaks from the heart when she urges women to make healthy lifestyle choices. At 43, she’s had five open heart surgeries. “I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anybody. I wouldn’t wish it. It’s a traumatic experience to have open heart surgery.”
Baldwin’s heart disease was triggered by a genetic defect. From her perspective, too many women take a healthy heart for granted, neglecting checkups and exercise.
“There’s a lot of stress, our lives are crazy. We don’t take care of ourselves. And women especially don’t take care of themselves. They’re busy taking care of everybody else. But when you’re gone, who’s going to replace you? There isn’t anybody. You need to take care of yourself.”
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the death rate for women, ages 35 to 44, rose from 1997 to 2002, to its highest level since 1987.
Cardiovascular surgeon, V.C. Smith has observed the unfortunate trend in Southern Nevada. “There’s a whole host of events that have led to this. And I think smoking, obesity, lack of activity — obesity then leads to diabetes. And all these factors together are certainly leading to more heart disease in young women.”
Surviving a heart event at a young age will mean medication and the possibility of additional procedures for the rest of your life.
“If you have say, bypass surgery, which is what I do, at age 45 — and bypass graphs last 10 years or so, then you’re looking at another operation at 55 and another one at 65,” said Dr. Smith.
