Why Do We "Go Red" for Women?
Every February, women across the nation “Go Red for Women” as part of the American Heart Association’s campaign to raise awareness. But do you know the shocking statistics behind this observance?
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. For the last 90 years, heart disease has claimed the lives of more women in this country than any other disease.
Heart disease is a major cause of disability. Heart conditions are one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can cause disabling heart disease.
Heart disease is preventable. 90% of heart disease is preventable.
How can you best care for your heart?
Monitor Your Blood Pressure
If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause a heart attack, stroke or other health problems. But a large percentage of people who have high blood pressure are unaware of their condition. Visiting your doctor regularly and keeping track of your vital health statistics can help you keep your heart healthy.
Don’t Smoke or Quit Smoking
Smoking increases plaque formation in your blood vessels, leading to major health risks including heart disease. Quitting helps your blood pressure return to normal and reduces your risk of heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other complications. There is never a bad time to quit smoking.
Reduce your Stress
Stress is a major contributor to overall poor health. Whether it is caused by work, family or finances, it’s important to take a step back and breathe. You can walk outside and enjoy the sunshine, practice yoga or try meditating each day to keep your stress levels down.
Lose Weight
Did you know that carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure and diabetes? Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for improving your heart health.
Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity — about 150 minutes a week — can improve your heart health. But staying consistent is key to keeping the benefits of exercise high and your risk for heart disease down. Some exercises you could do include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Experts recommend women have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day. In the long term, women who consume more alcohol than is recommended are at risk for developing liver disease faster than men. But it’s not just your liver that is a concern. Too much alcohol can weaken your heart, put you at increased risk for breast cancer and have an adverse effect on your immune system.
Eat Healthy
Eating healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products improve your health, and reducing the amount of sodium and increasing potassium in your diet can improve your heart health. Not sure where to start? Check out this heart-healthy grocery list: https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/heart-healthy-kitchen
Have questions about more ways you can care for your heart? Ask your doctor at your next appointment. If you're looking for a physician, CaroMont Health can help! Find a list of all of our expert providers right here.