The Red Dress-the national symbol for women and heart disease
awareness-was designed to build awareness that women are at risk for
heart disease, and motivate them to take action to reduce their risk.
Follow The Heart Truth and learn about heart disease in
women this February, and throughout the year, through a series of
exciting events taking place across the nation!
As a daughter with her one living parent living with heart disease, today is an important day.
My Father had his first myocardial infarction at the age of 47, and died in my Parent's living room. He was resuscitated by the glorious EMTs, and he continues his battle with heart disease.
My Father is now 67. He has had multiple heart surgeries, stints, bypasses, angioplasty. You name the modern cardiac technology, and my Father has been on the receiving end.
With this knowledge I arm myself with daily habits of eating right, and exercise. I also try and instill these in our children.
Because we are at risk for heart disease. With a family history of heart disease on both my Father and my Mother's side of the family.
I also think a lot of women think heart disease is a "men's illness". It is not.
Here are some of the risk factors for heart disease.
*According to the American Heart Association.
- High blood pressure
- High
blood cholesterol - Diabetes
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
- Having a family history of early heart disease
- Age (55 or older for women)
How Can you protect yourself?
*According to Heart Truth website
- Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart
attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer.
- Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many
preventable deaths. - Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. - Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate
in total fat. - Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL,
triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.
This information is valuable, and should be taken seriously. As we owe it to ourselves and our families to take better care of ourselves.
Join us on SpouseBuzz Radio February 10th 9pm EST, as we speak with a cardiologist, and a friend of mine, who recently suffered a heart attack at the age of 39 despite her active lifestyle (she was training for a marathon) , and wonderful eating habits.
