While we all hear about breast cancer, colon cancer, and all the other types of cancer; heart disease kills more woman every year than all the cancers combined. So why is it woman are not aware of this; and do not know the signs to look for? Most woman and men, think of a heart attack as something we see in the movies. We have a pain in our chest, lose our breath and fall to the floor in great pain. While this often is the case in men with woman it is can be very different.
According to the American Heart Association coronary heart disease kills 241,622 women in the US each year. This is compared to lung cancer at 67,542 and breast cancer at 41,514. The risk begins to rise between the ages of 40-60. This is an alarming statistic and women everywhere need to know what to look for.
Symptoms can be very different for women than men, due to their smaller frames and many tiny blood vessels. Warning signs for women can be a feeling of fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. Some woman merely experience stomach pain and continue on with their daily routines. Other symptoms to pay attention to are pressure or pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, shoulders or upper back. Check to see if you can raise your arm. If any of this signs are present; get to a doctor immediately, but don’t drive by yourself. Call an ambulance if you are alone. In the meantime chew an uncoated aspirin to help thin the blood; this could save your life on your way to the hospital, or while you are waiting for help.
To control you risk of heart disease:
1. Don’t smoke
2. Eat a healthy diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein low in saturated fats, and limit trans fats
3. Get 30 minutes of physical exercise daily
4. Maintain a healthy weight
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