Each year, more than a million American women suffer a heart attack and almost half of them are fatal. Although most people believe that heart attacks primarily affect men, research by the American Heart Association has proven that the leading cause of death and disability among women is heart attacks. (Ridker and Manson 2003). More than half of women who have a heart attack fail to fully recover. This is an alarming situation that requires full attention. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Young women are at high risk due to their lifestyle. The use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, common among young women, puts them at risk of heart attack. Physical inactivity is also a key factor since lack of exercise can lead to a buildup of high cholesterol and narrowing of the coronary artery, which is one of the main causes of heart attacks. Other risk factors for heart attacks include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and high blood pressure. Knowledge of risk factors and behavior change is an essential prevention measure. However, there are some risk factors you can change and others you cannot. A family context of heart attack at an early age spirals out of control. Controllable risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and physical inactivity. Seeing a trusted doctor could also help prevent the risk of a heart attack. (Grandy and Lee 2006). The lack of medical care could lead to an increase in already established death and disability statistics. Women are also the backbone of development of any country and lack of treatment could lead to instability and underdevelopment of the country. Most children will remain orphans and will not have the foundations of maternal parenthood. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The existence of a lack of knowledge among women regarding heart attacks hinders prevention. Health providers also struggle to understand symptoms in women. (Redberg and Cushman 2010). It is therefore essential to raise awareness and educate the public on issues related to heart attacks and how to prevent them. Women should also understand the importance of seeing a doctor on time and leading a healthy lifestyle. As they say, prevention is better than cure.