February is heart disease awareness month.
I was surprised to learn that heart disease is the number one killer in women. Once when I went to the doctor, he told me that I had an irregular heartbeat. He prescribed regular aspirin. I never worried about my heart. And I read that women are mostly concerned about other diseases and illnesses such as breast cancer. In the United States one woman dies every minute from a cardiovascular event. Yet coronary heart disease is still considered by many as a “man’s disease” (http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/7291/18967/heart-women).
Who are at risk to get heart disease?
Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels; high blood pressure; diabetes; overweight or obesity; metabolic syndrome; lack of physical exercise; age; family history; sleep apnea; stress; alcohol
What steps could we take to prevent heart disease?
A healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, pasta, rice, oily fish like trout, salmon, herring, mackerel, or fresh tuna; the right amount of fats found in poultry, lean meat and fish; a reduced amount of salt.
Exercise is good for our hearts. Since I have not exercised in a long time, I need to start slowly, gradually building up my strength. My idea of exercise is taking long walk or swimming. Swimming is relaxing, fun and it gives the body a total workout (http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/diet-162120-5.html).
Take the steps to prevent heart disease. Love your heart!
Notes to Women 