Keep the Beat! Awareness is Vital to Women's Heart Health

What springs to mind when you hear “beat” and “rhythm”? Usually I think of music, an exercise class, or maybe a concert. Today, on National #WearRedDay, rhythm and beat mean something different to me. In addition to wearing red, I am honoring this day by recommitting to keeping my heartbeat and rhythm strong through good health habits. Join me. The theme for this year’s Wear Red Day is “Be the Beat,” and we are encouraging all women to educate themselves about heart disease, pick a new goal, and start a new habit.

Heart health is never far from my mind. In addition to my role as president of Abbott’s vascular business, heart and vascular disease are personal for me, and I know firsthand the importance of vigilant health care, regular exercise, and a heart healthy diet. I have lost family members to heart disease and have seen my mother through her own heart attack scare. This has fueled my passion for sharing knowledge and encouraging women to stay heart healthy. In fact, I have made it my life’s work. ?

Women and Heart Disease, Knowledge is Power

Far too often, heart disease in women goes unrecognized and undertreated. Most cardiovascular diseases are preventable with proper education and heart healthy lifestyle changes. But insufficient understanding of the sex-specific symptoms of cardiovascular disease has left too many women unaware of their risk factors, causing them to miss out on crucial care. It’s time to act.

Know the Symptoms

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for American women, and too many are not aware of the symptoms. Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly from coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. Heart attack symptoms are often different for men and women with women noticing symptoms such as:

·??????Shortness of breath, often without any chest pain

·??????Pain in the chest, upper back, shoulders, neck or jaw

·??????Feelings of anxiety

·??????Unexplained fatigue, weakness or dizziness

·??????Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, clamminess or a cold sweat1

Learn the Risk factors

A key step in leading a heart healthy life is learning whether you are at greater risk of heart disease.

·??????Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes lead to a higher risk of heart attack in women compared to men.?

·??????Hispanic and African-American women are more likely than white women to develop coronary artery disease.?Forty-nine percent of African-American women aged 20 and older have heart disease.?

·??????Women with peripheral artery disease (PAD—blocked arteries in the leg) are four times more likely to have a heart attack than women without PAD.

Make an Action Plan

Take some time today and set goals for yourself to improve your health and decrease your risk of heart disease.

·??????Choose a healthy eating plan.?Pick foods low in saturated fats, trans fat and sodium. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish. Limit sugary drinks and red meat.?

·??????Ramp up your physical activity.?Set a goal of 1 hour and 15 minutes of aerobic activity every week. This can be brisk walking, jogging, dancing, and bike riding, to name a few.

·??????Learn the warning signs of a heart attack. When you know the signs, you’re more likely to get immediate help. Getting treatment quickly can save your life and prevent serious disability.

·??????Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. If you smoke, get help to quit.

·??????Learn CPR. February is #heartmonth, and learning CPR or renewing your certification is a great way to celebrate.

What new goals are you setting for yourself today?