Heart Disease and Women; Heart Healthy Tips for American Heart Month
Wednesday, 17 February 2010 02:19 | 
Written by Al | 
| 
| 
Heart Disease and Women; Heart Healthy Tips for American Heart Month from
ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Martha Howard, MD, Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM
Coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the single leading
cause of death for American women. ChicagoHealers.com Dr. Martha Howard, MD,
Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM offers the following warning signs and ways to prevent
heart attacks in women.
A November 2003 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, found that a
whopping 95% of women said they knew their symptoms were new or different a
month or more before having their heart attack. Here are the facts and
figures on the "warning signs":
- 70.6 % reported unusual fatigue
- 47.8% had sleep disturbance
- 42.1% had shortness of breath
- 43% had no chest pain during any phase of the attack.
- 39% had indigestion
- 35% had anxiety
Unfortunately, most doctors continue to consider chest pain as the most
important heart attack symptom in both women and men-so it is important for
women to bring any of the above symptoms to the attention of their doctors.
In addition to preventing acute heart attacks by being aware of warning
signs, long-term prevention is equally important.
important heart attack symptom in both women and men-so it is important for
women to bring any of the above symptoms to the attention of their doctors.
In addition to preventing acute heart attacks by being aware of warning
signs, long-term prevention is equally important.
Smoking - If you are smoking, make a big effort to quit. It is a huge
heart attack risk factor, especially for women.
heart attack risk factor, especially for women.
Sedentary lifestyle - This is statistically a greater risk for women than
men. It is even more important to exercise than most of us think it is.
Obesity, High blood sugar, High blood pressure, High blood fats-
These are also a higher risk for women than men. A particular form of
obesity called metabolic syndrome that includes high blood pressure, high
blood sugar, high blood fats, and belly fat (waist measurement over 32
inches) is a big risk factor. A low glycemic diet (one that keeps your
blood sugar from skyrocketing after meals) and regular exercise are good
prevention strategies for metabolic syndrome.
These are also a higher risk for women than men. A particular form of
obesity called metabolic syndrome that includes high blood pressure, high
blood sugar, high blood fats, and belly fat (waist measurement over 32
inches) is a big risk factor. A low glycemic diet (one that keeps your
blood sugar from skyrocketing after meals) and regular exercise are good
prevention strategies for metabolic syndrome.
Pre - eclampsia and Gestational Diabetes -Women who develop pre-eclampsia
(high blood pressure) or gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have
low-birth-weight babies are now thought to have a greater risk of early
cardiovascular disease and death. Women with these complications should
begin to take an active role in reducing cardiac risk factors, both during
pregnancy and from then on.
(high blood pressure) or gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have
low-birth-weight babies are now thought to have a greater risk of early
cardiovascular disease and death. Women with these complications should
begin to take an active role in reducing cardiac risk factors, both during
pregnancy and from then on.
source: ChicagoHelaers.com
Last Updated (Wednesday, 17 February 2010 02:29)
