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Heart & Brain Health

Heart disease and stroke in women — risk factors, warning signs, prevention and care.

75 articles · physician-reviewed · 28 news reports

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Take it one step at a time. The sections below move from the basics through screening and treatment — read only what you need right now.Unsure about a term? Check the glossary.

Heart & brain health basics

Know your risks

Coronary artery disease & heart attacks

The most common heart condition

Heart Disease - Symptoms/Screening for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) often show no symptoms before experiencing myocardial infarction (heart attack). Approximately 50% of men and 63% of women who die suddenly from CAD show no previous symptoms of the disease.

March 11, 2010

Heart Disease - Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Tests to confirm coronary artery disease (CAD) may be ordered if a patient experiences symptoms or if age or family history warrant further examination. Angina (chest pain) and/or dyspnea (shortness of breath) may accompany CAD.

March 11, 2010

Heart Disease - Treating Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) depends on its severity. In some cases, CAD may be kept under control with diet and lifestyle changes or medication. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reduce pain or artery blockage.

March 11, 2010

Heart Disease - Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

The lifetime risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) after age 40 is 49% for males, 32% for women. Efforts to reduce controllable risk factors, including diet and physical activity, should be taken to decrease CAD risk.

March 11, 2010

Heart Disease - Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Main Menu: Overview of Myocardial Infarction Risk Factors for Myocardial Infarction Warning Signs of Myocardial Infarction Diagnosing Myocardial Infarction Treating Myocardial Infarction Monitoring Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Overview of Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) Myocardial infar

March 11, 2010

Stroke & brain attack

Act fast, save brain

Other heart conditions

Arrhythmias, CHF & more

Recovery & resources

Life after diagnosis

More in Heart & Brain Health

Further reading