Heart Disease in Women – Heart Health Tips for Moms
While women typically put the health of their families first, they must also take a second to take care of their own health to protect themselves from heart disease. Research shows that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. In addition, more women die from heart disease than men each year. And since heart problems in women can strike at any age and stage of life, heart disease poses a risk for young women, as well as for senior females. To help all ages of women protect themselves from heart disease, MD Now offers six simple steps that can help decrease the chance of heart disease in women.
- Watch for Warning Signs and Symptoms
Early detection can save your life, especially when it comes to heart disease. While the most common heart attack symptom for women is pain or pressure in the chest, this discomfort can be mild enough to be completely overlooked. In addition, women’s symptoms often occur while they’re asleep and some women never experience any symptoms at all. But when women notice the following symptoms, they must take them very seriously:
- Pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder, upper back, or abdominal area
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Right arm pain
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Unusual fatigue
- Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Research has found that more than 80% of heart disease in women can be prevented by simply maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Women should try to incorporate the following into their daily routine:
- Stay physically active
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables
- Choose foods low in saturated fats.
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stop Smoking
Research has repeatedly shown that smoking is more dangerous for women for men. In fact, a woman who smokes is twice as likely to have a heart attack than a non-smoking woman. This is why MD Now strongly urges women to quit smoking to protect the health of their hearts.
- Maintain a Lower BMI
Simply watching your weight is not enough to prevent heart problems in women. Research shows that women should strive to sustain a body mass index below 25 and waist measurement below 35 to decrease their heart disease risk. MD Now recommends achieving this goal through regular moderate exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day or several smaller 10-minute spurts of activity.
- Consider Other Conditions
Surprisingly, women who have a number of general health issues also have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers have found that certain health conditions can increase the chance of heart problems in women, such as inflammatory conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Women also have a higher risk of developing heart disease if they’ve experienced the following conditions:
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Menopause, since the female hormone estrogen decreases and makes women more susceptible to heart disease
- Premature menopause at age 40 or younger
- Lack of hormone therapy after menopause
- Protect Yourself from the Flu
Did you know that simply getting a flu shot can decrease the risk of heart disease in women? According to 2013 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Studies, the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of developing heart disease, along with the chance of having fatal complications from heart disease.
Women must take these helpful tips to heart to protect themselves from heart disease.
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