Top Health Risks for Older Women

Health Risks Affecting Older Women

As women get older, health concerns change. In light of Women's Health Week, the health experts at ATRIO Health Plans are here to outline some health concerns and conditions that should remain on your radar into your golden years.

Heart Disease

Although heart disease is commonly thought of as a men’s disease, it affects women at a similar rate. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the united States, making it important that it remains on women’s radar as a serious health concern.

Many women can have heart disease without displaying any symptoms or mistaking existing symptoms for something less serious. Common warning signs of heart disease in women include:

• Abdominal pain.
• Chest pain.
• Pain in the neck, jaw, or upper back.
• Nausea or vomiting during physical activity.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to become porous and brittle, leaving you more prone to breaks and fractures. This condition especially affects the following body parts:

• Hips.
• Spine.
• Wrist.

Out of the 10 million cases of osteoporosis in the United States, about 80% of them affect women. This is because after hitting menopause, estrogen levels dramatically decrease. This hormone is directly responsible for protecting strong and healthy bones.

Certain cancers

Although cancer can affect anyone regardless of age or gender, there are some cancers that are more commonly diagnosed in women during their senior years. Older women are at a higher risk of developing the following types of cancer:

• Breast cancer.
• Cervical cancer.
• Colorectal cancer.
• Endometrial cancer.
• Lung cancer.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Skin cancer.

Because early detection is key when it comes to the success of cancer treatment, it is important to stay up-to-date on physicals, well-woman visits, and other routine cancer screenings.