Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide – that’s according to the World Health Organization. It’s responsible for 13% of the world’s total deaths. New research published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine states that health experts can get a better sense of the risk women, in particular, face up to 30 years ahead of time.
“I was very healthy. I saw a doctor once a year. To this day, we have no idea what happened to me," said Mary Hart, a heart disease survivor.
In her early 40s, Hart didn’t know if she was going to see her two kids grow up.
“My heart was functioning at 10%, and I basically had one more day to live," Hart said.
What You Need To Know
- A new study published at the end of August in the New England Journal of Medicine found three blood biomarkers, if looked at together, could predict cardiovascular risk in women up to 30 years before a major event, like a heart attack
- Researches looked at LDL, or bad cholesterol, CRP and LP(a), which can all be risk factors in heart disease. None of these biomarkers are new, but Dr. Mookherjee says what makes these findings unique is its focus on women.
- According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and in 2021, was responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 women
She was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, which caused heart failure.
“I live my day, not really fearful, but I, I don't forget," Hart said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and in 2021, was responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 women.
“Heart disease starts young. Period. And so the earlier you know of your risk factors, the more time you have to modify them," said Dr. Suzie Mookherjee, a cardiologist at Albany Medical Center.
A new study published at the end of August in the New England Journal of Medicine found three blood biomarkers, if looked at together, could predict cardiovascular risk in women up to 30 years before a major event, like a heart attack.
Researches looked at LDL, or bad cholesterol, CRP and LP(a), which can all be risk factors in heart disease. None of tse biomarkers are new, but Mookherjee said what makes the findings unique is its focus on women.
“This study, in particular, it's highlighting that women are at risk and young women may be at risk. I find that to be more important, that, look, you may not think you're at risk. So guess what? Let's look at these three things, and then you're going to know whether you risk it or not," Mookherjee said.
