Women’s Heart Health Week and Go Red Day
During this Women’s Heart Health Week, how is your heart health?
Have you ever looked at those websites that compare your real age to your chronological age?
I did and I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and resiliency. It also had some interesting questions regarding heart health.
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a major threat to women’s health.
According to the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, early heart attack symptoms occur in 50 percent of all people who have heart attacks. If you’re aware of the early symptoms, you may be able get treatment quickly enough to prevent heart damage.
Eighty-five percent of heart damage happens in the first two hours following a heart attack.
Early symptoms of heart attack can include the following:
- mild pain or discomfort in your chest that may come and go, which is also called “stuttering” chest pain
- pain in your shoulders, neck, and jaw
- sweating
- nausea or vomiting
- light-headedness or fainting
- breathlessness
- feeling of “impending doom”
- severe anxiety or confusion
Doctors now realize that heart attack symptoms can be quite different for women than for men.
Symptoms of heart attack in women include:
- unusual fatigue lasting for several days or sudden severe fatigue
- sleep disturbances
- anxiety
- light-headedness
- shortness of breath
- indigestion or gas-like pain
- upper back, shoulder, or throat pain
- jaw pain or pain that spreads up to your jaw
- pressure or pain in the center of your chest, which may spread to your arm
Women experience significant physical changes around age 50. Levels of the hormone estrogen drop. Estrogen is believed to help protect the health of the heart.
There are additional symptoms of a heart attack that women over the age of 50 may experience. These symptoms include:
- severe chest pain
- pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
- sweating
Beverly’s Hot Tip For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Women’s Heart Week and Go Red Day:
Learn the warning signs.
It is imperative that women learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, see a doctor regularly, and learn their family history.
Prioritize Regular Exercise.
Engage in regular physical activity to keep your heart healthy. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by the American Heart Association. Incorporate a variety of activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, or yoga to improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your heart muscle, and maintain a healthy weight.
Making a commitment to your health isn’t something you have to do alone either, so grab a friend or a family member and become accountability partners.
Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet.
Make nutritious food choices to support heart health. Focus on eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, and foods high in saturated and trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease. Incorporate heart-healthy foods such as salmon, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and leafy greens into your meals to help lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and support overall heart function.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset.
Mindset plays a crucial role in promoting heart health for women. Adopting a positive mindset can have a profound impact on overall well-being, including heart health. A mindset focused on optimism, resilience, and self-empowerment can help women navigate challenges more effectively, reduce stress levels, and promote healthier lifestyle choices.
Consider the impact of being positive, being able to relax, using a sense of humour, being organized, being involved in hobbies/community, having a spiritual side, and striving to be a continuous learner, as these have a protective impact on our heart health.
By incorporating these tips into your lifestyle, you can promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease, ensuring a happier, healthier life for years to come.
Contact Beverly about hosting a mental health workshop for your teams on how to build resilience. Learn relaxation strategies, and discover coping tips to deal with stress, change and crisis!
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If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
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