How Valley woman deals with hereditary heart disease risk

PHOENIX - Heart disease is a major problem in America, killing about 600,000 people every year, and it can be especially dangerous for some groups of people.

Not only is heart disease the leading killer in America, but it is becoming more of an issue with our country’s fastest-growing minority group -- the Hispanic community.

A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that 70 percent of Hispanic women are found to have a least one risk factor for heart disease.

These risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and smoking.

Valley resident Paula Arevalo was included in that 70 percent as she was previously diagnosed with diabetes. 

Recently she had suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital. She successfully had a left heart catheterization and a superficial femoral artery stent placement.

Arevalo's family was not very optimistic going into surgery, because her father had died due to a heart attack.

After the surgery, Arevalo says she is dedicated to eating healthy and getting in shape.

Although heart conditions can be hereditary, women can lower their heart disease risk by as much as 82 percent just by leading a healthy lifestyle.