What Is Heart Disease?
The term heart disease refers to any disorder or condition of the heart and blood vessels; these diseases fall under the catchall category of cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery disease is a common form of heart disease that occurs when arteries become lined with heavy deposits of plaque — a substance made up of fat, calcium, and other minerals. The plaque buildup narrows the diameter of the vessels, thus limiting the amount of blood that can flow through the arteries, contributing to a condition known as atherosclerosis. As plaque narrows or blocks the coronary arteries, the heart is starved of oxygen, which can lead to a heart attack — and damage the heart muscle itself.
Other heart diseases include congestive heart failure, diseases of the heart valves, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and congenital heart diseases. But for women entering menopause, the threat of heart disease comes mainly from coronary artery disease, the atherosclerosis that contributes to it, and the heart attacks and stroke that all of these conditions can lead to.
Fact
Atherosclerosis can also contribute to the plaque buildup in the carotid arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain. The plaque buildup can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can break loose from the inside of the vessel walls and be carried to your brain, causing a stroke. In 2003, 96,200 women died of stroke.
