Of course, the first step is recognizing that one is
at risk and, along those lines, progress has been
made in convincing women—at least Caucasian
women—that their #1 risk is CVD. For roughly
the last decade, awareness of CVD as the leading
cause of death in women has hovered between 60%
and 70% in white women compared to just 33% in
1997. However, awareness is much lower among
Black and Hispanic women (about 35%, as of the
most recently available data [2012]).
What do women perceive as risky? That would
include eating food high in saturated fat, a sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and
high blood pressure. Not recognized: obesity, diabetes, and smoking.
Once the risk is perceived, studies have shown
a correlation between sex and an ability to change
lifestyle to reduce the risk of disease. Health behaviors are influenced by factors such as culture and
environment. For men, the appraisal of projected
harm or loss is very important (cognitive appraisal).
Marital status is a factor, too, with married women
less adequate in their own self-care. Confidence is
important and women tend to be less confident, but
they are more willing to take direction than men.
Women are significantly more likely to recognize
ACS symptoms. For example, women were more
likely than men Ѽ