What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Health
February 13, 2017 | Prevention of Illness and Management of Chronic Conditions
February 3rd was National Wear Red Day, an annual opportunity to raise awareness that women can take steps to ensure they have a healthy cardiovascular system.
Facts about Heart Health
- The statistics are undeniable: heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US. Did you know that: 1 in 4 women die of heart disease, which is much higher when compared to 1 in 31 women who die of breast cancer?
- Women have a higher risk of dying from heart disease than men?
- Coronary heart disease is present in about 7.6% of black women, 5.8% of white women, and 5.6% of Mexican American women?
- The symptoms of heart disease can be different for a woman than a man, such as pain located in the back, upper abdomen, throat, jaw, or neck; extreme fatigue; and swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs. When they don’t recognize the symptoms, then it decreases the likelihood that women will seek medical attention promptly.
Protect Your Health
To avoid heart disease, it is essential that you are working with a qualified health care practitioner. You should also “know your numbers”: cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index). These numbers can help you and your physician determine your risk for developing heart disease. An individualized plan can be put together to adjust diet and lifestyle factors that might contribute to heart disease, and/or to introduce medications that can help.
Do you need help connecting with the right professionals to support your lifestyle? Talk to our team at Windward Life Care, and we will assist in the process of finding the doctors and medical care centers that are a good fit for what you need. We are here to help!