Women's hearth health: 5 tips for a healthy heart

Photo: Casey Rodgers / AP Images for Nintendo

September 30, 2009 has been designated as National Women's Health and Fitness Day. Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 316,000 women died from some form of heart disease in 2006. This staggering number accounts for .more than one out of every four women who died that year. Unfortunately, many women have no symptoms of heart disease prior to the occurrence of sudden death. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent heart disease from occurring or worsening.

Preventative measures include:

• Don't smoke. You already know that smoking is bad for your health and that it is a major cause of many illnesses and deaths in addition to those related to heart disease. Quitting smoking now can reduce the risk of death from heart disease by 50% or more. 
• Limit alcohol intake. While studies have shown that one drink a day can be a benefit to one's health, drinking excessively has been shown to increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. 
• Maintain a healthy diet. Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been shown to lead to heart disease. A diet low in sodium and high in whole grains and green leafy vegetables has been shown to improve both high blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. 
• Take aspirin. Studies have shown that a daily dose of aspirin can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. You should consult your doctor prior to starting an aspirin regimen,  as the risks and benefits of taking aspirin can vary for each individual.
• Exercise. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart so that it does not't have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body. The CDC recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of activity per day.

Having a good relationship with your doctor can also be critical to the health of your heart. Your doctor can help you to assess your risk and discuss additional preventative and combative measures that can be taken against heart disease.