3 Ways to Protect the Heart of Women You Love

PODCAST. Heart disease in women is often overlooked with tragic endings. When I was on the radio and podcasting for News FM96.5 WDBO, my awesome producer was Billy P.  This podcast ran a couple of years ago and Billy P shares his very personal story of what happened to his wife. You don’t want to miss it. It will tug at your heart strings as it still does mine.

Do you know the number one cause of death in women? Are you thinking breast cancer? It’s actually heart disease. And did you know that women often receive less medical interventions than men to prevent and treat heart disease such as cholesterol screening and use of cholesterol-lowering medications?

In a study (Circulation), women were asked whose health is most important to them. Guess how they responded? 56% said someone else’s health is most important …their children, spouse/partner and parents. 

And Moms who are caregivers say they have:

* Increased stress

* More exhaustion

* Less time for one’s self

* Trouble sleeping

So think about this…women often receive less care for their hearts by the medical community and at the same time many women are more concerned about the health of others to take care of themselves. But  heart disease is the number one killer of women.

These preventive tips will help the women you love to improve their health, feel better, live longer and hopefully avoid medication or take less of it.

Tip #1 Find Out Your Numbers

* Cholesterol profile including triglycerides, HDL and LDL

* Blood pressure

* Body mass index or BMI

* Blood sugar

* Waist circumference

Money is tight, medical costs are high…I hear you. But you and the health of those you love are much more important. Every week there are free health fairs and clinics with opportunities to take advantage of and find out some of these numbers. It’s true that you can’t change your family history, gender or your age for that matter, but you can alter your diet, exercise/activity level, whether you smoke or not, and your weight.

Tip # 2 Once You Know Your Numbers, Ask Yourself if You Have Metabolic Syndrome

How do you know? According to the American Heart Association and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, you may have metabolic syndrome (which puts you at a greater risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease and other vascular issues) if you have 3 or more of the following risk factors:

1) Your waist is greater than 35 inches

2) Your triglycerides are higher than 150 mg/dL

3) Your HDL (protective cholesterol) is less than 50 mg/dL

4) Your blood pressure is higher than 130/85 mm Hg

5) Your fasting blood sugar is higher than 100 mg/dL

Tip # 3 See a Health Care Professional

If any of your numbers are abnormal, now is the time to see a health professional. Remember, high blood pressure is called the “silent killer” as it generally has no symptoms. When you lower your blood pressure, you reduce the chance of stroke by 35-40%, heart attack by 20-25% and heart failure by 50%.

And did you know that two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease? Don’t miss this…women with type 2 diabetes develop heart disease at a much younger age compared to non-diabetic women. Making smart changes in the diet, losing some weight and moving around more can help to prevent or postpone diabetes.

I can’t close without saying…ladies, if you smoke, did you know you have two-to-six times the risk of sudden cardiac death than non-smokers? And, the risk is even higher if you’re a heavy smoker. If you’re around someone who smokes, second-hand smoke increases cardiac risk.

The good news: when you stop smoking, the health benefits begin immediately.

You are busy,