Cardiovascular or heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart’s ability to function normally. Types of heart disease include coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and valvular disease.
An estimated 42 million American women live with heart disease, but many are unaware of the danger they may face.
Know the Risk Factors
High blood pressure, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors. Other risk factors include:
Diabetes
Obesity
Eating an unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Too much alcohol consumption
Know the Warning Signs
The most common warning signs of heart disease in women are:
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest. It may last a few minutes or go away & come back.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Women may also experience less obvious symptoms including:
Discomfort in the back, shoulders, arms, stomach, jaw, neck, or throat
Indigestion
Palpitations
Unexplained fatigue
Generalized pressure in the chest
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Once heart disease develops, it’s a lifelong condition that will gradually worsen unless lifestyle changes are made. Fortunately, women may be able to lower heart disease risk by more than 80 percent by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include:
Maintaining a healthy weight by exercising.
Managing high blood pressure.
Managing stress.
Knowing your family history.
Lowering total cholesterol to less than 200 mg/dL.
Not smoking and limiting alcohol.
Maintaining a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Check On Your Health
It’s important to get your annual check-up to keep tabs on your health and get ahead of any health concerns. If you need a primary care provider, visit Advanced Healthcare.