Women and Heart Disease Prevention
Wear red in February for American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness about heart disease, but don't stop there. Make sure you know the signs of a heart attack, ask your doctor questions about heart health, and learn how to lower your risk for heart disease. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke, or diabetes can increase your chances of having a heart attack.
Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease Eating healthy, staying active, being smoke-free, and getting regular check-ups are simple steps you can take to lower your risk for heart disease.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease Know the risk factors that may increase your chances of getting heart disease. • • • • • • • • •
Alcohol High blood cholesterol levels Diabetes Diet Heredity High blood pressure Obesity Physical inactivity Tobacco use
Ask Questions Take this list to your next appointment, and get the answers. • •
What is my risk for heart disease? What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me, and what do I need to do about it?
• • • • • • •
What are my cholesterol numbers (including total cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, HDL or “good” cholesterol, and triglycerides)? What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them? What is my “body mass index” and waist measurement? Is my BMI in the “normal” range? Do I need to lose weight for my health? What is my blood sugar level? Am I at risk for diabetes? What other screening tests for heart disease do I need? How often should I return for checkups for my heart health? What can I do to quit smoking? How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart? What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating? How can I tell if I’m having a heart attack?
Know the Signs, and Act Immediately A woman suffers a heart attack every 90 seconds in the United States. If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. The good news is that if you seek help quickly, treatment can save your life and prevent permanent damage to your heart muscle. Treatment works best if given within 1 hour of when symptoms begin. Common symptoms are: • • • • • • •
Unusually heavy pressure on the chest, like there's a ton of weight on you Sharp upper body pain in the neck, back, and jaw Severe shortness of breath Cold sweats (not hot flashes from menopause) Unusual or unexplained fatigue (tiredness) Unfamiliar dizziness or light-headedness Unexplained nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) or vomiting
Make The Call. Don’t Miss A Beat