Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week we've been talking about women's health. While women of all ages need to take care of themselves, health issues take on increased importance as women age. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say the closer women get to the age of 50, the more they need to work on preventive health issues.
Heart disease had been the No. 1 killer of women in the United States for years until dropping to No. 2, second only to cancer, in 2004. Menopause raises a woman's risk for heart disease. UT Southwestern doctors encourage all women to get some form of exercise or physical activity every day to help them prevent heart disease.
Hormone replacement therapy may be a way to help ease the symptoms and risks associated with menopause. This is an individual issue that should be discussed with a woman's doctor to weigh the risks and benefits.
###
Feb. 2005
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on the "Stardust" format of ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
