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February 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
How do
you know
if you are
having
a Heart
Attack?
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
Women need to be
on the watch.
Women in the U.S. die every day
from heart disease. It is the leading
cause of death for women, killing
some 292,188 women in 2009. That
is one in four female deaths that are
due to heart disease.
Many of us are tuned into breast
cancer as a cause of death among
women, but are rarely aware of the
even more serious danger of coronary
heart disease—and the risks it carries.
Even more alarming, not everyone is
clear about the “atypical” signs and
symptoms which many women present when having a heart attack.
We have always heard that chest
pain, possibly radiating to the left arm
and going up into the neck and jaw,
sweating, squeezing, pressure pains
in the chest, were the chief symptoms
of a heart attack, and this is accurate--for men.
Traditionally, men have been the
subjects for clinical trials and studies. Today, it is now recognized that a
woman’s body is different than that of
the male. There is an entirely separate
and particular picture of a woman
and her symptoms of heart attack.
Even her response to treatment is
distinct.
Symptoms of a heart attack in
women are: unusual fatigue; new,
unusual shortness of breath during
everyday activities (or at rest); nausea; dizziness; lower chest discomfort; back pain; and upper abdominal
pressure or discomfort. Doctors
sometimes refer to these symptoms
as “atypical” symptoms even though
for women they are very typical. A
woman with heart problems may or
may not have chest pain.
Some “classic” symptoms, more
often seen in men but which women
may or may not experience, include:
pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in
the center of the chest, spreading
to the neck, shoulder, or jaw. Also,
there may be chest discomfort with
lightheadedness, fainting, sweating,
nausea or shortness of breath.
ILATES
PP L A C E
ILATES
PP L A C E
Every woman should know the
complete picture of how a woman
may exhibit signs and symptoms and
advocate for herself in the event of
this happening to her, or a loved one.
Women should take seriously any
symptoms and call 911 should such
an emergency happen to her. The
quicker the woman gets to the ER,
the less likely she will die of her heart
disease.
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@healthykentucky
Common risk factors for heart
disease include a family history of the
disease and smoking. Other risk factors that are more common in older
women include a sedentary lifestyle
and entering menopause. Also, an
elevated LDL or “bad” cholesterol
measurement, low HDL or “good”
cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, are all
risk factors for heart disease.
Preventative care includes the following:
Eat a diet much like a Mediterranean diet with plenty of fruits
and veggies.
Exercise most days of the week. Aerobic exercise is good for
the heart. Weight bearing exercise is of benefit as well.
Keep stress to a minimum.
Watch B/P, keep LDL below 100 and have good HDL levels.
Cholesterol should be normal.
Have a physical exam yearly including an EKG.
Stop smoking if you smoke. This is of paramount importance.
Lose weight if overweight or obese.
Have a good support system consisting of friends and family.
Take time out for yourself to ensure you meet these goals.
Form Good Habits with Us!
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Take responsibility for our own health.
Being an advocate for your health and that of other women cannot
be stressed enough as there are some medical personnel who remain
unaware of the difference in women’s symptoms of a heart attack.
Never be afraid to say that you believe you are having a heart attack.