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Women & Heart Disease

According to information from the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke claim more women's lives each year than the next seven causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. Misperceptions still exist that cardiovascular disease is not a real problem for women. The lack of urgency about such a serious health threat contributes to the deaths of more than 500,000 Amercian women each year.

There are 3 basic messages supported by the American Heart Association:

Know your risk factors for heart disease and stroke

-obesity -high cholesterol -diabetes -physical inactivity -smoking -high blood pressure

Reduce your risk

- Maintain a desirable weight: keep body mass index (BMI) below 25; waistline under 35 inches.
- Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Eat a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry, and lean meat).
- Maintain a total cholesterol level under 200 and an HDL level or 50 or higher.
- Control your blood pressure. Try to keep it below 120/80.
- Schedule regular visits with your doctor.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack. Call 9-1-1 immediately if any occur.

Talk to your doctor about heart disease

-- Ask your doctor to do a thorough assessment of your heart, including determining your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride and glucose levels. Get a copy of these results and discuss them with your doctor along with your weight and blood pressure to determine the best plan of action. Diet and exercise can help reduce your blood pressure and your risk for heart attack.
-- Talk to your primary care physician/ob-gyn about your risk factors for heart disease each year. If you have risk factors, ask if you should have an ECG or exercise stress test.
-- Tell your doctor about any personal or family history of heart disease.
-- Make sure you understand any medications or special instructions your doctor has given you, including when you need to have follow-up tests.

Know the symptoms of a heart attack

Classic symptoms* Other symptoms Women May Have:**
Chest discomfort Indigestion or gas-like pain or pressure
Pain spreading to shoulders,neck or arm Dizziness
Nausea Unexplained weakness, fatigue
Shortness of breath Discomfort/pain between should blades
Sweating Sense of impending doom

*Any of these symptoms can occur in men or women

**If these symptoms last more than 15 minutes, seek help


Be assertive about your health

-- Make sure your concerns are heard
-- If you have symptoms, even if they are vague and you think they may not be serious; make an appointment to see your primary care physician


If you are experiencing symptoms that could signal a heart attack

-- Call 9-1-1 and get to the emergency room quickly to minimize possible damage to your heart.
-- Consider taking aspirin (chew or place under your tongue) at the first sign of heart attack symptoms, unless allergic to it.


Or, if you’ve had a heart attack

-- Ask your doctor about the role of daily aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and ACE inhibitors in preventing second heart attacks.
-- Ask your doctor to refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program.
-- If you smoke, you need to stop. Ask your doctor about nicotine-withdrawal medications and find a smoking cessation support group.
-- Know your risk factors for heart disease (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and excess weight) and get them under control.

 

 
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