Image Source: The Heart Truth Campaign for Women
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every five American women will die from heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
You can take small steps to improve your heart health every day.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Choose low-sodium and low-salt foods; limit foods that have trans fat, like pastries and fried food; and cut back on sugar.
- Manage your health conditions. Take your medications as directed, and have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar level on a regular basis.
- Get the facts about aspirin. Some people take aspirin every day to help prevent a heart attack or stroke, but it is not right for everyone. Ask your healthcare provider if you should use aspirin.
- Know the signs of a heart attack in women, including:
- Heavy ache in your chest or back between your shoulder blades
- Sharp pain in your upper body
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Unusual or unexplained tiredness
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Feeling sick to your stomach
While the most common symptom for both women and men is chest discomfort, you can have a heart attack without experiencing chest pain or pressure. Women are more likely to have other symptoms such as back pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, and nausea or vomiting. Women are also more
- Get tested.
This Women’s History Month, go above and beyond and protect your heart by making good heart health decisions! MedPhysicals Plus offers a comprehensive women’s health screening. This powerful exam tests for vitamin D deficiency, hormone imbalances, heart and cholesterol issues, and kidney and liver issues. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for women. Chronic kidney disease is more common among women than men, yet lack of awareness leads to its delayed diagnosis. Women are more likely to suffer from anemia and a vitamin D deficiency. Preventive care and awareness among younger generations of women are keys to creating a stronger, healthier, and more powerful group of women. Getting tested can help prevent the misdiagnosis of your symptoms by doctors. It is well known that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for all types of diseases due to outdated information on the reproductive system.
Visit Women’s Health for more information on how to spot a heart attack in a woman. Remember heart disease is not just a men’s issue.
This information is used, with permission, from the FDA Women’s Heart Health Toolkit, available here.