Heart disease and heart attacks: that every woman should know - How to protect yourself

What you need to know about heart disease and heart attacks

Unfortunately, women are less likely to survive a heart attack or a heart attack than men. The reasons for this phenomenon are unknown. It is possible that this deplorable statistics can be explained by the fact that women are less likely (or too late) to seek medical care after a heart attack - in contrast to men who knocks down a simple cold. Or is it due to the lower heart size in women and increased sensitivity of blood vessels. Doctors strongly engaged in search of answers to these questions. One thing is clear - to prevent heart disease is better than cure.

How can I protect myself?

The main factors contributing to the development of heart disease in both men and women - smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, family history and age. Examine your lifestyle, family history and general health. This information will help you and your doctor assess the extent of the potential risks and plan prevention of heart disease. Although it is not in your power to change family history or age, you can change the way of life and thus to exclude certain other risk factors.

Quit smoking

Smoking - is the main risk factor for the development of heart disease in women. More than half of all cases of heart disease in women older than 50 years are somehow connected with smoking. Quit smoking, you can just two years to reduce the risk of heart attack by one third. In addition, smoking women taking birth control pills, are subjected to their health (and life!) At even greater risk. Fortunately, today you can find a variety of tools to help quit smoking. Try using anti-nicotine patch or chewing gum - these tools can be purchased without a prescription. In addition, at your request, a doctor can prescribe some stronger medication to help you quit smoking How to Quit Smoking: Tips for Women . Discuss with your doctor what strategy will be most effective. Secondhand smoke (smoke inhalation) also have a negative impact on the heart and lungs. If you live with a smoker, try to convince him (or her) to quit.

Watch your pressure

Early treatment of high / low blood pressure lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke Stroke - a serious brain injury . Maintaining a normal weight, regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet - all of this helps to keep the pressure is normal. Reducing salt intake also helps to decrease the pressure. If hypertension is not retreat, and then, contact your doctor.

Watch out for cholesterol

To determine the level of cholesterol, seek medical attention - he referral for tests. Diet - this is the only effective method of reducing cholesterol levels. However, some people diet and fitness is not enough - they must also take certain medications.

Maintain a healthy weight

Overweight is an additional burden on the heart and blood vessels. Sports and low-fat diet to help lose weight. Fat people are at increased risk of developing many diseases, especially diabetes, hypertension Hypertension - dangerous consequences   and heart disease, so it is particularly recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise regularly

Remember that the heart - a muscle. To this muscle remains in good shape, it needs to develop. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging or riding a bike, it is better suited for this. Also in training can use a variety of sports equipment and fitness equipment, such as a bicycle, a treadmill, and the like. In order not to deviate from a plan of training and reduce their tempo, find a partner gym. The best mode of training - 4-6 lasting 30-60 minutes per week. Before you start training, consult a physician.

Follow a low-fat diet

Try to reduce by two thirds the usual intake of calories and eliminate from the diet of saturated fats (found mostly in meats and coconut oil). Information on the low-fat products can be found in various sources. For example, on the packaging of products you can find information about their nutritional value, including fat content, many cookbooks contain recipes for low-fat dishes, the menu of some restaurants provide low-fat dishes.

Control Diabetes

For diabetics a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise, low-fat diet and the observance of exposure to medical records) is particularly important. Diabetes medication should be taken in full compliance with the instructions of the doctor.

Do not ignore chest pain

When the sharp pain in the chest, in the shoulder, neck or jaw consult a doctor immediately. Also tell your doctor about the attacks of shortness of breath or nausea. If you feel the first symptoms of a heart attack Symptoms of heart attack in women - do not miss time Immediately call an ambulance - the faster you get to the hospital, the less it hurts your heart. In this situation, every second counts.

Explore the family history

If your father or brother had not yet turned 55, and they are already suffering from heart disease, or if your mother or sister were in the hospital with a heart attack at the age of 65 years, beware - the risk of heart disease and threatens you. Be sure to inform your doctor about such cases of the disease in your family.