Heart Disease in Women: How do you reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease kills more women than any other cause, accounting for around one out of every five American women. Many women are unaware that they are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Understanding that women may have distinct risk factors and present with non-typical symptoms is crucial for combating heart disease in women. This article covers tips and strategies to mitigate your risk of Cardiovascular disease (CVD).
You can take action right now to lower your risk. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.
According to the World Health Organization, around 80% of heart attacks and stroke cases are preventable. The majority of deaths due to CVD can be prevented if risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes are prevented or controlled by making certain changes in their lifestyle which include:
- Eat a well-balanced diet: Eating a healthy diet is particularly important to maintaining a healthy heart and circulatory system. When you eat healthy, unprocessed, and fresh foods, your body gets all vital nutrients and minerals that help to maintain overall health and a good source of energy. Whereas, if you eat processed foods, they give you little nutrients and increase your blood pressure and cholesterol, which leads to heart problems.
- Exercise regularly: Being physically active is necessary to maintain good health, which includes heart health. That’s why you should stay at least doing a 30-minute intense to moderate workout for 5 days a week. Adults from 18 to 65 years of age should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or at least 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity every week. Children and adolescents can do 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day. When you keep yourself active, it allows you to relieve stress and control your weight, both factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Maintain a healthy body weight: Being overweight and obese increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. However, losing weight also decreases the risk. So, discuss with your doctor which diet plan and lifestyle changes can help you lose weight effectively.
- Avoid smoking: If you smoke, quit it right away because it increases your risk of coronary heart disease. Also, avoid smoke-filled environments, as exposure to second-hand smoke greatly increases the risk of heart attack. All forms of tobacco are equally harmful and there is no safe level for it. So, you should quit your tobacco addiction. If that troubles you, then talk to your doctor to develop a plan that helps you quit.
- Avoid alcohol: Similar to tobacco, there is no safe level for drinking alcohol, and the detrimental effects of alcohol never outweigh any protective benefits. While drinking less also lowers your risk of CVD, however, evidence shows that the ideal situation for health is not to drink at all. Even moderate drinkers can notice benefits in their health after they stop drinking.
- Manage stress: Stress can constrict your arteries and increase the risk of heart disease, especially in women. However, you can manage your stress by exercising, deep breathing, relaxing your muscles, and doing the things you love. If you are not able to manage your stress, then consult someone close to you or seek professional help.
- Know your numbers: Knowing these numbers is essential to keep your heart healthy. It includes:
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure is one of the biggest causes of heart attack and stroke. It does not cause any symptoms, so you need to check it regularly and if it’s high, take all necessary measures to lower it. Some measures include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and medication.
- Cholesterol levels: High cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. However, this can normally be managed if you eat a healthy diet and stay active, or you can take prescribed medications to manage it.
- Blood sugar: If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, then you are already at risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, if you measure your blood sugar regularly you can take all necessary precautions to manage your blood sugar as the doctor and healthcare team guides you.
- Take your medication on time: If you have any condition or infection that increases the risk of heart disease or stroke, then you should take your medicine as prescribed. Also, discuss with your doctor about the medicine you should avoid and create a plan that ensures that you stick with your medication regimen.
- Know the warning signs: Before any heart attack or stroke, you may experience several symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, numbness, etc. You should not ignore these symptoms and call for immediate medical help to increase your chances of full recovery.
If you need help with a heart condition, call us on 1(347) 384-5690. The Cardiologists at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Heart Specialist Brooklyn are able to greatly improve their patient’s health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. You can reach us at (347) 868-1012 or (347) 384-5690 to schedule a consultation.