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While we all seem to know about heart disease and it's effect on men, many don't realize that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.

Starting at age 50, more women die of heart disease than any other condition.

According to a recent report on National Public Radio (All Things Considered February 1, 2006) men's heart attacks are more likely to be "Hollywood heart attacks" with chest pain, shortness of breath, and collapse. Many women may have a "hidden" heart disease that standard tests won't detect -- which means they may receive a clean bill of health only to soon after suffer a serious heart attack.

Researchers have found fatty deposits in women's coronary arteries that do not show up as obvious blockages on angiograms. Women deposit plaque more profusely than do men. The arteries in women, which are smaller than the arteries of men, create small vessel disease. Women may complain of fatigue, stomach upset, a persistent chest pain, and even depression and anxiety prior to or during a heart attack. Following the medical model of the Hollywood attack emergency rooms may send a woman home medicine to treat the symptoms mentioned above while in reality they are in cardiac crisis.

But the ultimate effect is the same for men and women. And both women and men need diet, exercise, and nutrients to promote cardiovascular health.