Women and Heart Disease: How to Improve Heart Health
In this article:
We know patients who have successfully faced the challenges of heart disease, and we admire their dedication in taking charge of their health. Heart disease is stealthy, and you could have it and not know it. When it does show symptoms, they are often easy to dismiss or ignore.
But you can’t ignore the bleak statistics.
Cardiovascular disease causes 1 in 3 deaths in women every year.
This is more than all cancers combined.
To us, those women are much more than mere statistics. They represent daughters, mothers and grandmothers–the very patients we serve.
In support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women awareness campaign, we’d like to give you basic, simple steps on how to improve your heart health.
At Associates in Women’s Health, we realize that your schedule is busy. Whether you’re a soccer mom heading out for the big game, a student studying for that final exam, or a grandmother enjoying retirement —we make our services as convenient as possible.
Did you know you can schedule your 3D mammogram at the same time as your annual physical? Or that ultrasound images are texted to you before you even leave our office?
We’re also dedicated to being responsive, and strive to reply to any questions or calls to our office as soon as possible.
If you’re ready to have a medical home that focuses on patient-centered, evidence-based care, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us.
How to Improve Heart Health: 4 Small Steps that Have Big Results
1. Have a Regular Physical
Do you have high blood pressure? What about high cholesterol? If you’re not sure, it’s time to find out.
After all, how can you understand how to improve your heart health if you don’t know where you stand?
By having an overall snapshot of your health, you have an idea of where to begin your journey. In addition, when you return for your yearly exam, you’ll be able to evaluate how far you’ve come and the improvements you’ve made.
If you’ve fallen short of your goals, don’t worry. We have the experience and expertise to get you back on track.
You’ll want to pay special attention to your cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and other important numbers.
2. Get Regular Exercise
We know you’ve already heard how exercise is so good for you, and you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week. This can include exercises such as brisk walking, biking or even dancing.
Even these moderate-intensity exercises can help strengthen a weak heart.
If you’re pregnant, don’t worry. There are still a lot of exercises that are within reach, although you should speak to us before you delve into an exercise routine. Want to know more? Check out our earlier article: “What Kinds of Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?”
3. Eat a Nutritious Diet
Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are your friends. Likewise, be sure to use the “good” fats –these are the types of fats found in olive oil and fish. While fish is an excellent source of healthy protein, if you are pregnant, you should take precautions.
Some fish have high concentrations of mercury, which makes them unsafe for your developing baby.
In our earlier blog, “Is it Safe to Eat Fish While Pregnant?” we weigh the pros and cons and provide additional resources for you.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight
What do we mean by a healthy weight? We mean one that is appropriate considering your height. This can be calculated to find your body mass index (BMI)
If you’re pregnant, we’d like to speak with you about healthy weight gain during pregnancy, so we can help ensure a safe pregnancy and reduce the chances of complications.
Women and Heart Attacks: Not Your Typical Symptoms
It can happen quickly, and perhaps even more frightening–you may not even know you’re having a heart attack.
It’s easy to dismiss that terrible pain in your jaw. Maybe you just grind your teeth when you sleep.
Or what about that severe indigestion? Perhaps something you ate.
Excessive tiredness? Who doesn’t have tiredness these days?
While many women exhibit the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack – chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath– women are also much more likely to have atypical heart attack signs, which can include jaw pain, indigestion and excessive fatigue.
But how can you tell the difference? You can’t. Only a specialist can determine the source of your ailments, which is why it’s so vital to understand the symptoms of a heart attack, heart disease and how to improve heart health.
As always, if you’re experiencing heart attack symptoms–or even if you’re not sure if you are– contact 911 immediately.
How Many Women Have Heart Disease? Facts and Statistics
The American Heart Association provides these vital statistics that stress the importance of heart health:
This clearly demonstrates that how to improve your heart health should be at the forefront of every woman’s mind.
Associates in Women’s Healthcare: Providing Guidance on How to Improve Heart Health
It’s simply too important.
We want you to be able to enjoy the special moments of life. Basketball games. Biking. Spending time with those you love.
But to do those things, you have to be realistic about your risk of heart disease and of having a heart attack. It’s something that many women aren’t aware of, and it can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of those closest to you.
That’s why we’ll provide the information you need and even a referral to a specialist if it’s appropriate. Because at Associate’s in Women’s Healthcare, we’re not just concerned about your gynecological health, we care about your overall health.
Are you overdue for an annual physical? Perhaps you’re pregnant and you want to start an exercise routine. We encourage you to contact us for an appointment today.
Key Takeaways:
- Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S., but if you take some precautions, you can reduce your risk of developing it.
- Regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and having yearly physicals are all healthy steps in how to improve heart health.
- Women who are pregnant should speak with us before starting an exercise routine.
- Be aware that many women have different heart attack symptoms than men. Understand these symptoms, know your risk, and call 911 in the event of an emergency.
