Heart Attack
Heart disease kills more men and women each year than any other illness. Heart disease develops from the build-up of plaque (cholesterol and other material) in your heart's blood vessels. This disease process is called atherosclerosis. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems.
You won't necessarily know if you have heart disease until it has progressed a fair amount. Nonetheless, you should be aware of your risk factors and try to control them. If you do have risk factors, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of developing serious problems.
You won't necessarily know if you have heart disease until it has progressed a fair amount. Nonetheless, you should be aware of your risk factors and try to control them. If you do have risk factors, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of developing serious problems.
Butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, cream, and fatty meats are full of saturated fats. So are certain types of oils like coconut. A diet high in saturated fat damages your arteries. High-fat foods also tend to be high in calories. Being overweight or obese not only increases your risk for heart disease, but for type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer as well.
THINGS YOU MUST KNOW :
Know your risks as a female.
Although heart disease is
often thought of as a man's disease, it is also the #1 killer of women.
You should know that as women age, their risk begins to approach that of
men.
Younger women with heart disease often do not have the same symptoms as men, and may be less likely to be diagnosed correctly. They are also more likely than men to die after a heart attack. This may be because women tend to be older and have more other medical problems than men at the time of the first attack. However, with early aggressive treatment, women with acute heart problems can do as well as men.
African-American women have a higher risk for death from heart disease than other groups. In fact, research shows that the rate of heart attacks is increasing among African-American women. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to getting regular screening for blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol, and do what you can to address the other risk factors.
Younger women with heart disease often do not have the same symptoms as men, and may be less likely to be diagnosed correctly. They are also more likely than men to die after a heart attack. This may be because women tend to be older and have more other medical problems than men at the time of the first attack. However, with early aggressive treatment, women with acute heart problems can do as well as men.
Know your risks as an African-American woman.
African-American women have a higher risk for death from heart disease than other groups. In fact, research shows that the rate of heart attacks is increasing among African-American women. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to getting regular screening for blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol, and do what you can to address the other risk factors.
Your age is on your side at the moment, but you still should take action now.
Know
that your risk increases as you get older. The risk for heart disease
begins to increase in men over age 45, and in women over age 55. The
younger you start taking action to prevent heart disease, the better.
You are probably not getting enough fish to help your heart.
Fish
is a healthy, lean protein. Also, it contains a type of fat called
"omega-3," which may help protect the heart. It would be well worth it
to start eating more fish, especially if you have other significant risk
factors for heart disease
Summary: Action Steps You Should Consider
Summary: Action Steps You Should Consider
- Get your cholesterol screened regularly.
- Keep Cholesterol Under Control.
- Keep Blood Pressure Low --People in normal health should aim for 130/80 mm Hg or less. Patients with certain health problems, such as diabetes, should aim lower.
- Exercise. Everyone in normal health should engage in at least moderate physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on most--if not all--days of the week.
- Eat a Healthy Diet. Everyone should aim for a diet that contains a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, nuts, legumes, poultry, lean meat, and low-fat dairy items. Avoid saturated fats and trans-fatty acids.
- Don't Smoke. Also avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
- Maintain Weight. People should aim for a BMI index of 18.5 to 24.9.
No comments:
Post a Comment