February is National Heart Health Awareness in America. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 292,188 women in 2009; that’s 1 in every 4 female deaths. Almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. Even if you have no symptoms, you may be at risk for heart disease. So, how do you manage your health to prevent heart disease? The American Heart Association provides four main tips to help women make good decisions about their heart health and prevent heart disease.
The first tip recommended by the American Heart Association is to eat a heart healthy diet. What does this mean? It means to eat foods that are “low salt” or “low sodium,” limit food that have “trans fat” because too much trans fat can cause heart attacks. Many diets have promoted the reduction or complete elimination of sugars. Sugars fall under several names such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and corn syrup. According to the American Heart Association, those who got 17-21 percent of their calories from added sugar had a 38 percent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed 8 percent of their calories from added sugar.
Just like all aspects of our health, it is important to manage our heart health. Common problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are all factors in the increased risk of heart disease. If you have any of these conditions, speak with your physician about how to manage those conditions to prevent damage to your heart. Take any medications as directed. Do not think that you can stop taking medicine when you feel better, only discontinue your medications when directed by a physician. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly. Symptoms of a heart attack in women can sometimes differ from those in men, so if you are experiencing any discomfort that is disconcerting, it is important to schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss possible risks.
While commercials state that taking an aspirin saved their life during a heart attack, daily use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks is not right for everyone. Everyone will handle the use of aspirin differently so it is important during your appointment with your physician to discuss if you should use aspirin. If your doctor decides that you are at a risk for a heart attack and should incorporate the use of aspirin into your lifestyle, make sure to know how much you should take, how often you should take it, and how long you should be on the aspirin regimen as aspirin is not meant for long-term use. Prior to beginning an aspirin regimen, make sure to inform your doctor of all medications you are on to prevent risk of other complications.
The most important tip provided by the American Heart Association is to know the signs of a heart attack. There are many symptoms that may occur and you may experience all of them, one of them, or may not even realize that you are having a symptom of a heart attack. If you experience any of the symptoms, call an emergency department immediately.
Common symptoms include:
- Chest pain (heavy ache or pressure)
- Pain in your upper body (arms, neck, jaw, back, or upper stomach)
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Unusual or unexplained tiredness
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)
Your heart is one of the most important parts of your body and just like you care for the rest of your body, it is important to care for your heart the same way. Schedule routine visits with your physician to discuss your risk for heart disease and other health conditions that could impact your heart.
For more information on heart health, contact Hopedale Medical Complex, Midwest Vascular Institute at 309-449-3321 or visit online at www.hopedalemc.com.
Source: American Heart Association, www.heart.org