SINGAPORE: A new
study of more than 15,000 Singaporean patients revealed women admitted
for acute coronary syndrome -- or the sudden blockage of arteries --
were twice as likely to die as men.
Experts at the 8th Go Red for
Women symposium, organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation, stressed
that women must take action to care for their heart.
Acute coronary syndrome patients can experience tightness around the chest which usually leads to heart attacks and strokes.
Women's risk for heart disease also increases after menopause, as oestrogen levels drop.
In fact, heart disease and stroke are the top killer of women.
Contrary to popular belief, cardiovascular diseases kill five times more women than breast cancer.
Health
experts said heart disease could be under-diagnosed among females
because symptoms may manifest differently, for example, in unexplained
fatigue or pain in the jaw.
Experts said heart disease is mainly preventable through healthy diets and regular exercise.
Minister
of State for Health Amy Khor said: "Age, gender and heredity are some
risk factors for heart disease and stroke that you cannot change in your
lifetime.
"But there are behaviours that you can adopt to change other risk factors.
"This
includes not smoking, controlling your high blood pressure and high
cholesterol, preventing obesity and physical inactivity, and managing
diabetes and stress."
Dr Khor said there is little excuse for
avoiding those jogging shoes, as the government has invested heavily in
new outdoor spaces, from park connectors to mall walks in shopping
centres.
Health authorities are also working towards better screening initiatives.
A new Women's Health Advisory Committee is in the pipeline to better educate women about good health.
The
Go Red for Women campaign is part of an international movement led by
the American Heart Association, to encourage women to take action in
reducing their risks of heart disease.
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