Caribbean Life, Feb. 1–7, 2019 33
Millions of women around the
country live with cardiovascular
disease and may not know it. The
consequences of being uninformed can
be fatal.
According to the National Coalition
for Women With Heart Disease, heart
disease is the leading cause of death
in American women. More women die
from heart disease than breast cancer
in any given year, and the Public
Health Agency of Canada says that
heart disease is the leading cause of
death among Canadian women over
the age of 55. That’s a frightening reality
that might surprise some.
What puts women at risk?
There are a number of factors that
can put a woman at risk for heart disease:
Hypertension: High blood pressure
can exert extra stress on blood vessel
walls and make them more likely to get
clogged.
Cholesterol levels: Cholesterol in
the blood can build up on the inside of
blood vessels and lead to blockages that
can cause a number of different problems.
Smoking: Women who smoke have
a higher risk of heart attacks than nonsmoking
women. Those who smoke
and take birth control pills are at an
even higher risk.
Obesity: The chance for heart disease
increases with a woman’s weight.
Even losing a little bit of weight can
help diminish the chance.
Diabetes: High blood sugar can
damage the arteries that supply blood
to the heart.
Family history: A woman with
blood relatives who were diagnosed
with heart disease is at a heightened
risk of developing heart disease.
Lack of physical exercise: Inactivity
can promote heart disease. Daily
physical activity can go a long way to
help the heart and prevent heart disease.
Preventing heart disease
Recognizing the risk factors for
heart disease is just the beginning
when it comes to prevention. Once
those risk factors are known, it’s up
to women to take steps to live a more
healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are
many ways women can do just that.
Exercise daily. Thirty minutes
of exercise per day is recommended.
This can improve cardiovascular
health by getting the blood moving
through the body. It can also help
women lose weight, decreasing risk
for other ailments as a result.
Quit smoking. Do not use tobacco
products. Smoking is one of the biggest
risk factors for developing heart
disease. Smoking narrows the arteries
in your heart and can also contribute
to the hardening of arteries,
called atherosclerosis. This condition
can ultimately lead to a heart attack.
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke
replaces some of the oxygen in the
blood, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This can raise blood pressure and
force your heart to work harder.
Eat healthy. Eating foods that are
low in cholesterol and sodium can help
with heart disease risk. A diet rich in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lowfat
dairy products, and other sources
of whole fi ber can help. Consumption
of fi sh, which is high in omega-3 fatty
acids, is also benefi cial.
Maintain a healthy weight. A
doctor or nutritionist can help you
determine a healthy weight for your
body type and height. Most use calculations
to determine a body mass index,
or BMI, which considers certain
factors, including height and weight,
to determine if you have a proper
amount of body fat. Waist circumference
is also a tool used to measure how
much abdominal fat a person has.
Go to the doctor regularly. A doctor
can run certain tests to discover
any red fl ags for potential heart problems.
He will check blood pressure,
cholesterol levels, conduct screenings
for diabetes, and discuss family history.
With all of this information, the
doctor will be able to make certain assumptions
about heart disease risk
and guide you on the path to fi nding
a program that will be effective for
you.
Although heart disease is the foremost
killer of women in North America,
it can largely be prevented and
risk factors managed with adequate
health care. Women living with any
of the aforementioned risk factors
should make an appointment with
their doctor to determine a course of
action.
Health
What women must know about heart disease