February Heart Month: Ladies, You May Be At Risk

Staff at Jupiter Medical Center proudly wearing red in support of February Heart Awareness Month! (Click image for full size photo)

Ah, February, the time of Punxsutawney Phil, the Olympics and all things red and pink. The American Heart Association has cleverly designated February National Heart Month because of the barrage of heart shaped reminders we receive all month long. In the United States, 1 in 31 women die of breast cancer a year, while 1 in 3 dies of heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death in women claiming more deaths than all cancers combined.

Are You At Risk?

·        Are you over the age of 55?

·        Do you have a family history of heart disease?

·        Do you have an elevated cholesterol level?

·        Do you have high blood pressure and/or a history of pre-eclampsia?

·        Are you a smoker?

·        Do you have a sedentary lifestyle?

·        Are you obese?

·        Do you have diabetes and/or and history of gestational diabetes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. In fact, 90% of American women have one or more risk factors for heart disease.

Warning Signs of Heart Disease and Heart Attacks in Women

Although heart disease affects both men and women, some risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and some auto-immune diseases make this condition more deadly in women. Symptoms of heart disease can be a little different for women as well. We all have heard of the usual red flags: chest pain and shortness of breath. However, some women may experience symptoms that are a little more vague like jaw pain, nausea, upper back pain and fatigue. These are all symptoms that we might not immediately associate with heart disease and would therefore not seek medical attention.

THE GOOD NEWS 

80% of the risks factors are preventable by following a few simple steps:

Eat Right

The Mediterranean Diet can decrease the incidence of heart disease by 30%.  Here is what the American Heart Association has to say about it:

“If you adopt the Mediterranean diet, you’ll eat a lot of plant-based, minimally processed foods. You’ll use olive oil instead of butter or margarine, thereby substituting monounsaturated “good” fat for unhealthful saturated and trans fats. Fish is the central meat, and red meat is eaten pretty rarely. Dessert is fresh fruit, and, yes, you’re allowed a glass of wine a day.”

Get Moving

Adding at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week can decrease heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and can elevate mood. Just three, brisk ten-minute walks a day is enough to make a difference.

Stop Smoking

Smoking cessation not only can reduce cardiac risk, but also the risk of cancer, chronic lung disease and early death.

Talk to Your Doctors

Your physician and the Women’s Health Program at Jupiter Medical Center can help.  Nutrition counseling, weight management and wellness programs, and cardiac screening packages are available to all women in the community. Discuss your family, personal and pregnancy history with your provider to determine what early interventions can decrease your cardiac risk.

Now that you know how easy it is to lower your risk of heart disease, go tell your mom, sister, daughter or any other woman you love. Maybe this year instead of giving out candy hearts with messages like “Be Mine” or “U R Special,” give ones out that say “Eat More Fish” or “What’s Your LDL?” and show someone you really care.