February is American Heart Month, a national movement spearheaded by the American Heart Association (AHA) to increase awareness of heart health for women and men. The first Friday in February (Friday, February 3, 2017) is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness specifically for women’s heart health.
Did You Know?
- Heart disease is not just a “man’s disease.” In fact, it affects more women than men and is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one in three deaths each year.
- Although the risks increase with age, heart disease can affect people of any age.
- High cholesterol, poor eating habits, not exercising, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking can all increase your chances of heart disease.
- While a family history of heart disease does increase your risk, leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the genetic component.
- In addition to chest pain, symptoms of heart attack in women include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw.
Reduce Your Risk
As with many conditions and diseases, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by:
- eating a balanced diet that includes raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products
- eating foods with low salt/sodium, added sugar, and unhealthy fats
- getting frequent physical activity and strengthening exercises
- managing your weight to prevent stress on your heart
- getting plenty of sleep (though it varies, most adults need six to eight hours of sleep per day)
- reducing stress at work and home through focus and positivity
- limiting alcohol and caffeine
- not smoking
Contact your Capital Women’s Care provider to discuss your overall health and any concerns you may have.
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