Heart Disease: No. 1 Women's Health Threat

 Actress Elizabeth Banks at AHA's Go Red for Women Event

According to the Mayo Clinic heart disease is the No.1 threat of women's health. Heart disease is preventable and if managed, women can live longer healthier lives. Celeb moms like Elizabeth Banks (who participated this year in Go Red For Women National Wear Red Day at Macy's Herald Square on February 3, 2012 in New York City), Heidi Klum (who has teamed with Coca Cola) and others have raised awareness and placed the spotlight on heart health over the years.

Major corporations like Coa-Cola team with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to promote heart health. "The campaign introduced by Coke and Heart Truth not only tells women about heart disease, but also equips them to take action against risk factors. The website Go Red for Women has useful tips on how to keep the heart healthy and how to get involved in spreading awareness.

February is Heart Month and it's time for moms to make themselves a priority and live a healthy lifestyle. Give the gift of love to yourself and take care of your heart.

Here are tips you'll need  from NHLBI to live the heart healthy lifestyle you deserve:

• Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer.

• Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.

• Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.

• Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Also include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts in your diet.

• Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

  

This February, the Office on Women’s Health urges women to make the call to 9-1-1 immediately if they experience any one or more of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain, discomfort, pressure or squeezing
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
• Unusual upper body pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach
• Unusual fatigue
• Breaking out in a cold sweat

RESOURCES
NHLBI
Mayo Clinic
Go Red for Women