WomenHeart Offers Free Guide To Help Women Reduce Their Risk Of Heart Disease

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 09 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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With six times more U.S. women dying each year from heart attacks than from breast cancer, WomenHeart has created a free brochure offering heart-healthy -- and potentially life-saving -- tips to help women reduce their risk of heart disease.

"Heart disease is the leading killer of women in America -- one out of every four women will die this year because of it," said Lisa Tate, chief executive officer of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. "We can change these statistics. Women can fight back and win against this largely preventable disease by making important lifestyle changes that protect their hearts."

Among the tips offered in the guide:

-- Commit to a heart healthy diet. Eat a diet that is full of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Foods low in saturated and trans fat, cholesterol and salt can help prevent heart disease.

-- Step it up. Regular physical activity improves heart function and helps lower your risk of developing heart disease. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day -- garden, swim or go for a brisk walk.

-- Watch your weight. Excess body fat forces your heart to work harder and increases your risk for heart disease, even if you don't have any other risk factors. Shedding even a small amount of weight can make a big difference.

-- Quit smoking or don't start. Smoking can damage your heart and blood vessels and increase your chance of developing blood clots and high blood pressure. Quitting dramatically cuts the risk to your heart, even within the first year.

-- Know your numbers. Get your blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose), cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly. Controlling elevated numbers is critical to preventing heart disease and identifying problems early.

-- Manage stress. Learn to recognize signs of stress in your life and practice reducing them with meditation, yoga or deep breathing. Regular exercise is also a great way to relieve stress.

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of heart attack. It begins when plaque builds up inside the walls of blood vessels, causing them to narrow in a process called atherosclerosis. This eventually restricts or stops blood flow to the heart or brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

"Too often heart disease in women is misdiagnosed or undertreated," Tate said. "We must change is this reality. Educating women and empowering women to take charge of their heart health is a key part of our strategy to drastically reduce heart disease in women."

The free brochure is available at http://www.womenheart.org or by writing to WomenHeart at 818 18th Street, NW, Suite 930, Washington, DC 20006.

WomenHeart is the only national, patient-centered organization dedicated to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support. A nonprofit advocacy organization, WomenHeart is a community of women heart patients and their families, health care providers, advocates and consumers committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives.

WomenHeart
http://www.womenheart.org