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Women's Heart Health
Heart disease is the number one killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity. But it also is the single most preventable cause of death. For this reason, it is critical for women to focus on prevention and to be aware of heart disease's warning signs.
Recognize the symptoms
After having a heart attack, a woman is more likely to die suddenly than a man. However, many deaths from heart attack could be prevented by recognizing the symptoms and taking quick action to receive treatment, especially in the first hour. Symptoms of a heart attack in women include:
- Chest pain. Women may feel chest pain, called angina, but it may be far more subtle than in men. Not all women who have heart attacks experience chest discomfort.
- Pain in upper chest, back, shoulders, neck or jaw
- A feeling of breathlessness, often without chest pain
- Unexplained weakness, fatigue or dizziness
- Cold sweats, nausea and/or feelings of anxiety
Above all, remember that 64 percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease had no previous symptoms. If you have these symptoms, call 911, go to the Emergency Room or contact your doctor.
Reduce your risk
Half of all women will develop heart disease at some time in their lives. In fact, in the United States today, more than 38 million women live with heart disease. Prevention is the key to reducing your chances of developing heart disease.
Recognizing risk factors is the first step toward prevention. The following may put you at risk for heart disease:
- Smoking or daily exposure to secondhand smoke (at home or at work)
- Past heart attack or known coronary artery disease
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol (over 240mg/dL or HDL less than 35mg/dL)
- Abnormal heart beat
- Being postmenopausal
- Taking birth control pills and smoking
- Being overweight
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
Practicing a healthy lifestyle is the second step toward reducing your risk of developing heart disease. By following these tips, you can reduce your risk or even prevent heart disease:
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid secondhand smoke.
- Exercise regularly.
- For maintenance, a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days, preferably daily
- For weight loss, a minimum of 60 to 90 minutes of moderate physical activity most days, preferably daily
- Eat heart healthy.
- Diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-fiber foods and fish
- Saturated fat less than 7 to 10 percent of calories
- Cholesterol less than 300 mg daily
- Alcohol no more than one drink daily (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirit)
- Salt less than 2300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon) daily
- Manage your weight.
- Maintain or lose weight through a balance of physical activity and caloric intake
- Waist measurement 35 inches or less
- Body mass Index (BMI) less than 25
- Keep your blood pressure less than 120/80.
- Maintain total cholesterol at less than 200 mg/dL.
- LDL less than 100mg/dL
- HDL greater than 50 mg/dL
- Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl
- If diabetic, keep your HbA1c at 6.5 percent or less.
- Consult your health care provider about aspirin therapy
Recommendations from "Experience-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: 2007 Update," Circulation, AHA 2/2007; and the American College of Endocrinology.
Learn more about women and heart disease
The American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org
www.goredforwomen.org
The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
www.womenheart.org
NHLBI's the Heart Truth Campaign
www.hearthealthywomen.com
Cardiovascular Research Foundation
www.hearthealthywomen.com
The National Women's Health Information Center
www.4women.gov
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