Having a basic understanding of your heart and how it functions is the first step in helping to protect it against heart disease.  Most women don't know that heart disease is their number one killer so it's vital to understand heart disease and why it's relevant to women.

Heart disease explained
Heart disease is a chronic (or long-term) condition that affects many women and men. While it is true that heart disease affects more men than women, and at an earlier age, it is important to note that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Australian men and women. In fact, in 2008, 47% of people who died from heart disease were women. 
 
Heart disease is when your coronary arteries (the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to your heart muscle) become clogged with fatty material called 'plaque' or 'atheroma'. Plaque slowly builds up on the inner wall of the arteries, causing them to become narrow. This process is called 'atherosclerosis'. It can start when you are young and be well advanced by middle age.

If your arteries become too narrow, the blood supply to your heart muscle is reduced. This may lead to symptoms such as angina. If a blood clot forms in the narrowed artery and completely blocks the blood supply to part of your heart, it can cause a heart attack.

Many women simply aren’t aware of their risk of developing heart disease, the easy steps they can take to prevent it and the symptoms that indicate something is wrong. That’s why it’s important to take action now. Speak to your doctor.
 
Click here to find out more about heart attacks.

Women and heart disease
Heart disease isn’t only a problem for older men. It is the leading cause of death in Australian women and is in the top 5 causes of years of healthy life lost.

Women tend to develop heart disease at a later age than men. It is thought this may be because oestrogen may provide some protection during the reproductive years.

Menopause and heart disease
It is not clear why women tend to get heart disease at a later age than men, although it seems that the hormone oestrogen may give some protection during the reproductive years.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy , which includes oestrogen replacement, has been used for many years for the short-term treatment of troublesome menopausal symptoms. Depending on their doctors’ advice, HRT has also been used after menopause by some women who have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis results in a reduction in bone density and strength. In this case, HRT is used to reduce the risk of a future bone fracture, but the balance between risks and benefits of the treatment in an individual must still be considered. There are also other treatments for osteoporosis which are commonly used, rather than HRT.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has published booklets that provide information and advice on the use of HRT, including the main benefits and risks of HRT.

 HRT and heart disease
There has been a lot of research into the effects of HRT on the development of heart disease. Based on this research, we do not recommend that HRT is used to prevent heart disease in women. We also do not recommend it for preventing further heart problems in women who already have heart disease.

Before commencing HRT (e.g. for the short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms), women should discuss the risks and benefits of the therapy with their doctors.

 Oral Contraception
For healthy young women, oral contraceptives are usually safe. However, women who smoke while taking the contraceptive pill greatly increase their risk of heart disease. For more information, talk with your doctor.