The Biggest Threat To Women’s Health: Heart Disease atypical symptoms such as nausea, unexplained fatigue, diffi- (NAPS)—February marks Heart Health Month. So, how’s your heart health? If you’re a woman or have one you care about in yourlife, find culty breathing and abdominal pain. (See Table) An ounceofprevention... out. Heart disease affects as many women as it does men and claims twice the numberof lives as all Is worth a pound of cure. A recent report from a 14-year study cancer. Therisk factors for heart disease are the same for both men and women, and include smoking, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, high that healthful changes made to diet and lifestyle over the years cancers combined, including breast of more than 85,000 women found had a significant impact on heart health. e A reduction in smoking cut blood pressure and obesity. Women heart disease within the group by 13 percent. also have some uniquerisk factors, however, including menopause and Overall improvements in diet estrogenloss, the use of birth control caused a 16 percent decline in pills (especially for those who smoke or have high blood pressure) and a heart disease. The use of hormone replace- To improve one’s heart health it is important to recognize the hur- reduced risk by nine percent. Other reports confirm that high levelof triglycerides. ment therapy in menopause dles affecting medical care and the proven preventive steps that can physical activity is essential for a healthy heart. Three hours of brisk walking a week or half that changethe incidence for women. The hurdles Lack of research: Many of the major studies on heart disease time spent jogging, doing aerobics or another more vigorous exercise can reduce a woman’s risk by 35 have been done on men,resulting to 40 percent. Plus, regular physi- in less information on the incidence, treatment and prevention of heart disease in women. Fortunately that trend is changing. More and more researchis being Nutrition—Specific diet changes such as consuming more whole- Misinterpreting a problem: Men, women and even some heart health. For example, in the study mentioned above, women attention to symptoms of heart disease among women, especially grain foods experienced a 30 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease than women whoatelittle or no whole-grain foods. Eating whole-grain cereal at breakfast is cal activity reduces weight gains that often occur with aging. A Great Start Toward Total done specifically to help women. grain foods can do wonders for physicians do not pay enough who ate 2.5 servings of whole in women younger than age 65. Because of that, chest pain and other symptoms have been dismissed or attributed to different a great way to get some of the rec- ommendedthree daily servings of whole grains. medical conditions. As a result, women may miss out on the bene- fits of early testing and treatment. Different symptoms: Twenty Brought to you by Total cereals, breakfast cereals with 100% of the Daily Value of at least 11 vitamins and minerals. Learn the warning signs of a percent of women suffering a heart attack do not experience the classic symptom of crushing chest pain. Instead they often have heart attack: Classic Symptoms Other Symptoms Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing painin the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. Abnormalchest, stomach or Pain spreadingto the shoulders, armsor neck. Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue. Chest discomfort along with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath. Unexplained heartburn, nausea and dizziness. abdominalpain. Palpitations,cold sweat, paleness. i Note to Editors: This is Series III—14 of26.
