National Women’s Health Week has arrived and there’s no better time to get out and take action to improve your health. The theme for 2011 is “It’s Your Time”, so why not get out there and visit your doctor for preventative screenings and reach out to learn as much as possible on ways to improve your overall health.
There are plenty of websites offering a great deal of information regarding all types of health issues that impact women of all ages. Visit www.womenshealth.gov for more details on the week dedicated to keeping women as healthy as possible.
The point of the week is to get communities all over the country involved in helping women of all ages make choices and changes in their lives to improve their physical and mental health, as well lower their risk of certain diseases. One of the diseases being focused on is heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. It is most commonly caused by a blockage or narrowing in the coronary arteries. Your risk of heart disease increases if you are 55 years of age or older, or if you have a close family member who suffered from heart disease at an early age.
It’s important for women of all ages to be informed on ways to prevent this deadly disease. One key factor in prevention is your diet. Some healthy eating tips to aid in protecting your heart include:
- Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables – the more colorful, the more health benefits they will provide
- Choose whole grains whenever possible
- Switch to low-fat or non-fat dairy products
- Eat fish, skinless poultry, lean beef
- Consume polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats
- Limit saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars
Beyond ensuring that you are consuming a heart healthy diet, it’s important to get plenty of exercise to keep your heart strong. Aim for at least two hours and thirty minutes of moderate physical activity each week, or one hour and fifteen minutes of vigorous physical activity per week.
If you’re interested in attending an event to learn more about preventing disease and improving overall health in women, the York City Health Bureau is hosting a “Pamper Me Healthy Day” on 5/12/11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Yorketown Hotel located at 48 East Market St. in York, PA. The event includes exercise demonstrations, presentations on heart health and diabetes, goodie-bags, and lunch for all participants. The event is free. Visit ww.yorkcity.org for more information.
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