Heart Disease is a disease very dear to my heart not only is the leading cause of death among women over 65 year of age, but my mother passed away at the young age of 40 from a heart attack. Did you know American women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer? Heart disease also kills more women over 65 years of age than all cancers combined. Therefore it is extremely important for us women to take care of ourselves and get annual check up especially when we are in the age between 35 to 54 years of age. Below are top 5 risk factors for heart disease:
What are the symptoms of a heart attack in women?
Like in men, the most common heart attack symptom for women is pain or discomfort in the chest. However, women can also have a heart attack without having any chest pain. Some of the other symptoms women might experience include:
– Feeling out of breath.
– Pain that runs along the neck, jaw, or upper back.
– Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion.
– Unexplained sweating.
– Sudden or overwhelming fatigue.
– Dizziness.
What can I do to protect myself from heart disease?
For both men and women, the biggest factors that contribute to heart disease are:
– Smoking.
– High blood pressure.
– High cholesterol.
– Family history.
– Age.
Don’t smoke. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease in women. More than half of the heart attacks in women under 50 years of age are related to smoking. If you stop smoking, you can lower your risk of heart attack by one third within 2 years. Women who smoke and use birth control pills increase their risk even more.
Control your blood pressure. Treating high blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. A healthy diet, losing weight, and exercising regularly are all ways to help control high blood pressure.
Control your cholesterol level. If you don’t know your level, ask your doctor to check it. Screening is recommended for women 45 years of age and older with any other risk factors for heart disease.
Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries. Exercise and a low-fat diet can help you lose weight. Being overweight means you have a higher risk for many other health problems, especially diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Exercise regularly. Remember, your heart is a muscle. It needs regular exercise to stay in shape. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging, or cycling, gives your heart the best workout.
Be aware of chest pain. Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you suffer from pain in your chest, shoulder, neck, or jaw. Also notify your doctor if you experience shortness of breath or nausea that comes on quickly.
Know your family history. Having a father or brother with heart disease before age 55, or a mother or sister with heart disease before age 65, are factors that contribute to heart disease. Inform your doctor about your family history.
Don’t let another day pass you by! For more information visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/
