• It’s a Cookbook
    It’s a Philosophy
    It’s a Resource
logologologologo
  • FoodTrients 101
  • News
      • Age Gracefully with Grace O
      • Ginger Hultin, Nutrition
      • Mark Rosenberg, MD
      • Robert Tostado, MD
      • Anti-Aging
      • Beauty
      • Food
      • Health
      • Exercise
      • Celiac
      • Life Extension
      • Books We Love
      • FoodTrients Guides
      • Newsletter
      • woman doing yogaSecrets of the Lymphatic System
      • Fresh-RosemaryRosemary Improves Memory and Cognition
      • fish on slateAnti-Inflammatory Foods: the Top 10
      • capsule full of good foodAre Supplements Safe for You?
  • Recipes
    • SEARCH BY:

      • Category:

      • Starters
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Main Dishes
      • Sides
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Extras
      • Spice Mixes
      • All Recipes
      • Or Search By:

      • Anti-inflammatory
      • Antioxidant
      • Beauty
      • Detox
      • Disease Prevention
      • Gut Health
      • Immunity Booster
      • Mind
      • Strength
      • exotic fruit and granolaExotic Fruit Salad with Granola
      • buffalo meat slidersTry Buffalo Sliders with Sweetened Cranberries
      • chocolate mousseIt’s a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Mousse 
      • Green Tea NoodlesHeart-Healthy Green Tea Noodles Ramp Up the Flavor
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Media
  • Home Page
  • News
    • Age Gracefully
    • Anti-Aging
    • Beauty
    • Food
    • Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
    • Health
    • Newsletter
  • Recipes
    • Starters
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Extras
    • Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • Anti-Aging Resources
    • Health
    • Eating Well
    • Books We Love
  • About
    • About Grace O
    • Experts and Advisors
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
  • Shop
  • Media
    • In the Media
    • Press Releases
    • Videos
            No results See all results
            ✕
                      No results See all results

                      Heart Disease: The Silent Threat to Women’s Health

                      Published by Life Extension

                      At a recent Heart Health Fair at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Dr. Thomas Amidon delivered a startling truth: heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, surpassing all forms of cancer combined. Despite advancements in medical research and treatment, the misconception that heart disease is a “man’s disease” persists, often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment for women.

                      A Critical Gender Gap in Awareness and Treatment

                      Dr. Amidon, who has a personal interest in women’s health—being surrounded by his wife, three daughters, three mares, and two female dogs—emphasized that the medical community has historically focused on men when studying cardiovascular disease.

                      “As recently as 2006, 51% of women believed cancer was their biggest health threat, while only 13% identified heart disease as a major risk,” he explained. “Yet, the reality is far different. Cardiovascular disease claims significantly more women’s lives than cancer.”

                      According to 2025 data from the American Heart Association, the disparity in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment between men and women remains a serious issue. Women are less likely to receive life-saving medications and timely interventions after a heart attack. In fact:

                      • Women are 20% more likely than men to die from heart disease.
                      • Within a year of a heart attack, 36% of women will die, compared to 20% of men.
                      • Women are twice as likely to be disabled following a heart attack.
                      • Women are more likely than men to suffer a second heart attack.

                      Unique Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

                      One of the most dangerous aspects of heart disease in women is the difference in heart attack symptoms compared to men. While chest pain or pressure is a common symptom for both genders, women often experience subtler, less recognized signs, such as:

                      • Nausea or vomiting
                      • Unexplained fatigue or dizziness
                      • Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
                      • Shortness of breath
                      • Cold sweats or lightheadedness
                      • Pain in the jaw, neck, or upper back

                      Dr. Amidon shared the case of a recent female patient who dismissed her nausea and palpitations as minor discomforts. She waited nine hours before seeking medical help. Unfortunately, by the time her artery was cleared, the damage to her heart muscle was irreversible—a stark reminder of the importance of early detection and treatment.

                      The Science Behind Heart Attacks

                      Dr. Amidon explained that the heart is a muscle that requires its own blood supply, which is delivered through the coronary arteries. Over time, these arteries can become narrowed by cholesterol-rich plaque deposits. When these plaques rupture, blood clots form, which can completely block an artery—triggering a heart attack.

                      As an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Amidon specializes in minimally invasive procedures to restore blood flow by inserting a catheter through the arteries to remove obstructions. However, timing is critical—treatment is most effective within the first four to six hours after symptoms begin.

                      What Women Can Do to Protect Their Heart

                      While some risk factors, such as age, family history, and ethnicity, cannot be changed, many others are entirely preventable. Dr. Amidon urged women to take control of their heart health by:

                      • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels
                      • Quitting smoking
                      • Exercising regularly (even small changes like taking the stairs or walking for 20 minutes daily make a big difference)
                      • Maintaining a healthy weight through gradual, sustainable changes
                      • Knowing their symptoms and seeking immediate help if something feels “off”

                      Spreading Awareness and Saving Lives

                      Dr. Amidon encouraged attendees to educate themselves and the women in their lives about heart disease. He also recommended resources like the American Heart Association’s website and his book, The Sublime Engine: A Biography of the Human Heart, co-authored with his brother, Stephen Amidon.

                      In 2025, heart disease remains the number one health threat to women—but with awareness, prevention, and early intervention, thousands of lives can be saved.

                      For more information on women and heart disease, visit www.heart.org or check out the latest research on Life Extension’s website.

                      Share
                      Life Extension
                      Life Extension
                      LIFE EXTENSION The Life Extension Health News team delivers accurate information about vitamins, nutrition and aging. Our stories rely on multiple, authoritative sources and experts. We keep our content accurate and trustworthy, by submitting it to a medical reviewer. Life Extensionists are people who believe in taking advantage of documented scientific therapies to help maintain optimal health and slow aging. The medical literature contains thousands of references on the use of antioxidant vitamins, weight loss supplements, and hormones that have been shown to improve the quality and quantity of life. Life Extensionists attempt to take advantage of this scientific information to enhance their changes of living longer in good health. This article is posted by permission of Life Extension. https://www.lifeextension.com/

                      Sign Up to get our
                      NEWSLETTER FREE


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      Health

                      • These Are the 10 Top Herbs To Support Your Liver
                        May 30, 2025
                      • Top 10 Medicinal Herbs Growing in your Garden
                        May 30, 2025
                      • Mint: It Does the Mind & Body Good!
                        May 30, 2025
                      • The Essential Guide to Oils and Aromatherapy
                        May 30, 2025
                      • woman fanning herself
                        Women, Food, and Hormones: A Plan
                        May 15, 2025

                      ABOUT

                      • Grace O
                      • Our Experts
                      • FoodTrients
                      • Board of Advisors
                      • FAQs

                      EXPLORE

                      • Age Gracefully by Grace O
                      • News
                      • Recipes
                      • Our Guides
                      • Resources
                      • Shop
                      • Media

                      CONNECT

                      • Contact Us
                      • Subscribe
                      • Facebook
                      • Pinterest
                      • Instagram
                      • Twitter
                      • YouTube

                      SIGN UP for our NEWSLETTER

                      Nourish your week! Get the latest wellness news and delicious recipes to help you age better.


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      FoodTrients Trademark™ and copyright © 2011-2024 Triple G Enterprises. I Terms and Conditions I Privacy

                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

                                No results See all results