Heart disease is actually the leading cause of death for women (and men) in the U.S., according to the Mayo Clinic. However, the symptoms for the disease can differ for women.
Meanwhile, there are certain factors that pertain almost exclusively to women that could raise the risk of stroke, which is the 3rd-leading cause of death and highest cause of disability in the U.S. Let’s take a look at specific risk factors for both heart disease and stroke in women…
1. Hormones
Estrogen in women is actually considered to be an ally for heart health in women during the reproductive life cycle between ages 12 to 50, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
The naturally-occurring hormone generally has a “protective effect” on the heart between those ages, but the protective properties can change depending on a number of factors (such as a drop in estrogen due to menopause), adds the source.
