How to Help Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death in Women

- Remember that the major risks for sudden cardiac death are the same as for coronary artery disease. The two most common risk factors - diabetes and high blood pressure - are also the most common causes of kidney failure. Impaired kidney function may increase the risk for sudden cardiac death for women. Talk with your doctor or health professional and find out whether you have any of these risk factors.

- Consult a health professional if you have any of the phobic anxieties such as the ones mentioned - and rest assured that many effective therapies exist for decreasing this risk.

- Know your family history and in particular whether you have a family history of long QT syndrome. A simple test such as an ECG will help to make this diagnosis and potentially save your life.

- STOP SMOKING: Quit smoking because it increases blood pressure, increases the tendency for blood to clot and decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. It also is a major cause of atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries.

- TREAT BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood pressure is a major cardiac risk factor. A level of 120/80 or lower is normal. Lifestyle changes or medication adjustments may help you lower your risk.

- TREAT CHOLESTEROL: Less than a total of than 200 milligrams per deciliter with an HDL (good) cholesterol of at least 40 mg/dL is desirable. You should work with your doctor to reach your cholesterol target, and test it regularly.

- TREAT DIABETES: Exercise and weight control can help prevent adult-onset diabetes. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke.

- LOSE WEIGHT: if you are overweight. An adult who has a body mass index of 30 or higher is considered obese. Overweight is a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Normal weight is a BMI of 18 to 24.9. (Go to nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ to calculate your BMI.) The CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week to cut the risk of heart disease.
- EAT RIGHT: Eat a healthy diet low in sodium and saturated fat and high in fruits and vegetables.

- ALCOHOL: TAKE THE MIDDLE ROAD. Drink alcohol moderately, no more than two drinks per day on average for men and no more than one drink per day on average for women.

- EXERCISE: Exercise has been reported to precipitate Sudden Cardiac Death, although data from the Brigham and Women's Hospital suggest this may not be the case for women. In fact, the Nurses Health Study, in which women were followed for 24 years, showed that women who reported exercising four or more hours a week had a 59 percent lower risk of sudden cardiac death over 18 years of follow-up compared to women who reported not exercising at all.

- RELAX: Down shift and cool your engine. Read a book, watch comedy, meditate, practice Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong.

Helpful Related Information - AEDs

Once the fatal arrhythmia ventricular fibrillation ensues mortality rises rapidly. In fact, every minute the arrhythmia goes unrecognized, mortality doubles, and unless the heart is shocked quickly and a regular rhythm restored, death can occur in as little as 11 minutes. So, learn CPR and read about AEDS - Automatic External Defibrillators. They are simple to use and literally life-saving.

If an AED was readily available for Tim Russert or Krissy Taylor they may both still be here today. Get involved in your community and ask at your local gym, super market, golf course or library whether they have AEDs on the premises. If not, be heart smart and find a way to get one!!

Sudden Cardiac Death in Women, Part I

Dr. John Kennedy is an invasive cardiologist who practices in Southern CaliforniaMarina Del Rey Hospital in Marina Del Rey, Calif. He is and works primarily as the Director of Preventative Cardiology and Wellness at the co-author of the book "Breathe: Heal Your Heart in Just 15 Minutes a Day," which will be released by John Wiley & Sons in  February 2009. Learn more  at www.johnmkennedymd.com. Send your questions to John@smartnow.com.