WOMEN ARE TRULY DIFFERENT AT HEART
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Many women think that heart disease primarily affects the "Man of the Family" - that is not true. In fact, more women die of heart disease than men. It is the #1 killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity. And yet the vast majority of women worry more about keeping their husband's heart healthy than they do about their own. A new survey by the American Heart Association found that only 13% of women say they consider heart disease their greatest health risk, and barely more than one third have discussed the condition with their doctor.
Fortunately, you don't have to sit back and wait to see if it "catches up" with you.
You can, and should, take preventive steps today, no matter what your age, to keep your heart healthy.
Know your facts.
Know your risk.
Unhealthy habits account for a whopping 82% of heart disease in women, which puts lifestyle interventions at the top of the list. It can never be said too many times: stop smoking, get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, and eat lots of fruits and veggies.
Menopause. Women appear to develop coronary heart disease about ten years later than men. It is believed that before the menopause you are partially protected from coronary heart disease because of the circulating estrogen in your bloodstream. As you get older your estrogen levels fall, and your risk of heart disease and stroke begins to rise. In the 10 years after the menopause, the risk of CHD rises from one in seven women to one in three.
The Pill. Today's birth control pills carry far less risk of heart disease and stroke than the older versions of the pill did. However, if you smoke and are over age 35, you have a greater risk of a heart attack while taking the pill than if you don't smoke.
HRT Therapy. New studies have shown that when it comes to heart health, HRT may do more harm than good. Preliminary information obtained from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) trial indicates that women who use estrogen may face a slightly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes over women who do not use estrogen.
Know your numbers. It's important to know your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, and have them checked regularly, because they're measurements that can help you live a longer, healthier life. Women especially need to pay close attention to their HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Women who tend to have low HDL (good) cholesterol levels have a much higher risk of heart disease than men.
Know Your Influence. As a woman, you'll always make an effort to include yourself in what's going on with the people you care about -- you ask the questions, you offer advice. You have a big influence on the people around you - even though some (like your partner!) may not want to admit it! So as you make healthy changes in your own daily habits, why not get the people you care about involved?
Know your heart. The beauty is that as a woman you are already in touch with your heart-now you just have to listen to it more carefully.
The VitaHeart™ Cholesterol Health System can help.
The VitaHeart™ Cholesterol Health System supports natural heart health with a nutritional supplement, dietary guidance, and optional phone consultations with nutrition experts. If you're ready to get started or want to get someone you love started, consider the 90 day challenge.
Do it Together
Did you know that couples who go on a healthy cholesterol program together have seen up to 75% better results than by doing it alone? Get heart healthy with your significant other, family member, friend or coworker. Make it fun or maybe a bit competitive because everyone wins when you have healthy cholesterol. Start the VitaHeart™ CHS 90 day challenge today.
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