Is it true that heart disease kills more women than breast cancer or cancer in general?
Dr. Correa: That is correct. Women still have the perception that heart disease is not a major issue and that breast cancer is the number one killer, but its not. Debra: How does family history rank, in terms of risk factors? Is someone with a strong history of heart disease destined to get it? Dr. Correa: The aging process and having a family history are the two risk factors that are unchangeable. But because today there are so many advancements in technology, in treatment, in knowledge about heart disease and the risk factors for heart disease, even if you have a family history, if you know about other risks, you may be able to modify other risks like for instance, you don’t smoke. You avoid consumption of high quantities of alcohol. You maintain a healthy diet to have a very good level of cholesterol, of blood sugar. You also control your blood pressure, so then you can modify the other risk factors. This will reduce your risk even though you have a family history but your risk can
