Leading Causes of Deaths Among Women Show Surprising Results

Surveys asking women the question what their most serious health threats are repeatedly have respondents saying breast cancer is the largest killer. The very surprising reality is that heart disease is now the number one killer of women in the United States.

With 489,000 women dying annually from heart disease, this represents more deaths than all cancers combined. And the American Heart Association reports only 13 percent of all women in the U.S. are even aware that heart disease is a major threat to their lives.

There is very good news, though. Heart disease can be controlled by changes in diet, exercise, weight control and other factors. Experts recommend all women reduce their risk of contracting heart disease by:

· Avoiding smoking and limiting the amount of alcohol they drink.
· Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products.
· Exercising regularly.
· Controlling other health conditions that may put a strain on the heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
· Talking with their doctor about beginning a daily low dose of aspirin.

As mentioned, cancer is the second leading cause of death among women. Again, though, there are surprises as to what type of cancers women die from. Again, breast cancer proves not to be the most lethal cancer. Rather, cigarette-related lung cancer accounts for 73,000 deaths annually among women. While 211,000 women may be diagnosed with breast cancer, early detection and improved treatment has decreased the number of annual deaths to 40,000.

The third leading cause of death among women also proves to be a surprise: 28,000 women die yearly from colorectal cancer. Like heart disease, colorectal cancer had been thought to be a man's disease. However, statistics no longer prove this to be true.

Again, experts note that at least one-third of all cancer deaths are related to nutrition and other controllable factors. To reduce cancer risks, it is recommended women:

· Don't smoke or chew tobacco.
· Exercise regularly.
· Eat a healthy diet.
· Avoid excessive sun exposure.
· Limit the amount of alcohol they drink.
· Have regular preventive health screenings.
· Know their family medical history and review it with their doctor.

The third leading cause of death among women is stroke. Nearly two-thirds of the 163,000 people who die each year of stroke in the United States are women. Stroke is also one of the leading causes of disability among women.

Important risk factors which contribute to the chance of having a stroke are smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are also genetic, racial and gender specific markers which contribute to suffering a stroke.

Steps you can take to prevent a stroke include:

· Don't smoke.
· Control your blood pressure.
· Lower your cholesterol.
· Limit saturated fats.
· Exercise regularly.

The fourth major cause of death among women in the United States is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a broad term for chronic lung conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. The main symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath and a general diminishing of the ability to participate in normal activities. Some 64,000 women die of COPD each year in the United States.

Doctors recommend not smoking if a woman wishes to avoid contracting COPD.

Of the remaining causes of death among American women, Alzheimer's Disease is number five; diabetes is number six; accidents are number seven; and pneumonia and pulmonary diseases are number eight.

Women's health experts stress that there has never been a time in our history when women can do more to protect their health. Eating healthy foods, remaining physically active, and having regular checkups will provide women with the special attention to assure them a healthy life.