1. In the United States, men are much more likely than women to die from heart attacks and other coronary events. True or False?
2. Women are more likely to die from a heart attack than from breast cancer. True or False?
3. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is important in the prevention of heart disease for women after menopause. True or False?
4. Women are less likely than men to be evaluated for coronary heart disease risk factors. True or False?
5. After a heart attack, men and women are equally likely to receive medication. True or False?
6. Although coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, studies on heart disease still include far fewer women than men. True or False?
Answers
1. False. In 2001, heart disease claimed the lives of 515,204 Americans. Of these, nearly half were women (49 percent).
2. True. Women are six times more likely to die from a heart attack than from breast cancer.
3. False. While HRT has long been thought to protect women from heart disease, recent studies show that it actually may increase their risk.
4. True. Women are also less likely to receive adequate counseling and treatment for heart disease risk factors.
5. False. Women are less likely than men to receive beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and aspirin after a heart attack.
6. True. Only 25 percent of participants in studies on heart disease are women.
—R.M.
Sources: The American Heart Association; National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.