Did you know that a woman dies every 80 seconds of heart disease and stroke? Even more shocking, 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented with proper awareness and action (yes, 80 percent).
With February (aka Heart Month) right around the corner, we’re highlighting the American Heart Association’s four tips to improve heart and brain health — from something as simple as meeting with your healthcare provider to being aware of the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes.
Understand your family history
Find out if any of your immediate family members have a history of heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Not only will the information be useful for you and your doctor to understand the possible risk factors you might face, but it’ll also help your doctor map out the steps you can take to prevent the same conditions that affected previous generations in your family from affecting you too.
Know your numbers
Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to get a solid grasp on these numbers: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI). These numbers determine your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases including angina (chest pain), heart attack, stroke (caused by blood clots), and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Make simple lifestyle changes
There are so many healthy lifestyle choices you can make every day. Whether you take the stairs instead of the elevator, choose the farthest parking spot, or sign up for a workout class, the American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week. You can also make changes in your diet by consuming a wide variety of nutritious foods including fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, and at least two servings of fish a week.
Learn the warning signs
Being aware of the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes helps you catch it before it’s too late. For heart attacks, any chest pain and radiating discomfort in the left arm are common symptoms for both men and women. For women, however, other warning signs include shortness of breath, back or jaw pain, and nausea. To spot a stroke, remember the acronym F.A.S.T. (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 9-1-1).
What steps are you taking for a healthier heart? Let us know in the comments below!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
