Most people appreciate that heart disease is the number one killer in this country. However, for some reason, popular opinion is often that it targets men over women. The truth, though, is that the number of women who die from coronary heart disease each year is proportionate to that of men. Now, that we get that women and heart disease go hand in hand let’s understand the causes of heart disease and how to prevent it from happening to you and the women in your life. We encourage women to educate themselves about the disease, limit their risks and know what to look for in terms of symptoms.
By now, everyone should know that smoking is never a good idea, but it’s an especially valid predictor of those who will develop heart disease. Even if you just enjoy one a day, you could be doubling your chances of suffering a heart attack in your life. This should also tell you all you need to know about secondhand smoke too.
Heart Disease Prevention in Women
Exercise is essential for all kinds of health reasons, but it’s especially important for avoiding heart disease. Something as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk everyday can do wonders for keeping your heart in fighting form.
Obviously, your diet is important to consider too. Eat vegetables in abundance and make sure you’re getting some fruit everyday too. Five ounces of nuts every week will help as well as a generous helping of wild salmon or other forms of fatty fish. While reasonable amounts of poly and monounsaturated fats are a good idea, trans fats should be avoided.
Check with your doctor about what your ideal BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure should be. These numbers will differ amongst women, so it’s important to seek the help of a professional. Once you have these numbers, check yourself regularly to ensure you’re staying within them.
Symptoms of Heart Disease | Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Even if you’re paying close attention to your health and following the above advice, you could still fall victim to heart disease. Fortunately, warning signs can come as much as a month before suffering a heart attack.
One of the major indicators is unusual amounts of fatigue. If you keep noticing a shortness of breath or can’t get a good night’s sleep, these are also important signs to consider. Undue anxiety and indigestion are also markets many people remember leading up to a heart attack.
Although men and women suffer from heart disease in roughly equally amounts, only about half of the latter seem to know this and, of them, only about 13% seems to view it as a real risk. So start by taking heart disease seriously and then follow the above advice.
