Each year, more than one 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 conducted by the American Heart Association has shown that the leading cause of death and disability among women is a heart attack. (Ridker and Manson 2003). More than half of women who suffer heart attacks 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Young women are highly at risk due to their lifestyle. The use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, common among young women, makes them prone to having a heart attack. Physical inactivity is also a key factor as lack of exercise could lead to the buildup of high cholesterol and narrowing of the coronary artery, which is a major cause of heart attack. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and high blood pressure are among other risk factors for heart attack. Knowledge of risk factors and behavioral change are a primary prevention measure. However, there are risk factors you can change and others you cannot. A family history of heart attack at an early age is beyond one's control. Controlled risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and physical inactivity. Seeing a trusted doctor could also help prevent the possibility of having a heart attack. (Grandy and Lee 2006). The lack of medical care could lead to an increase in already established statistics of death and disability. Women are also the backbone of any country's development and lack of access to care could lead to instability and underdevelopment of the country. Most children will be orphaned and will not have a basis of maternal parenting. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The existence of a knowledge gap among women regarding heart attack hinders prevention. Even healthcare professionals have difficulty understanding the symptoms in women. (Redberg and Cushman 2010). It is therefore essential to create awareness and educate the public on issues surrounding heart attack and how to prevent it. Women should also realize the importance of seeking medical care promptly and living a healthy lifestyle. As they say, prevention is better than cure.