Other Columns on Health-Related Topics

Heart Month

February is American Heart Month and many people wear red to raise awareness about heart disease, particularly in women.  During this month, the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” movement is promoted to raise awareness that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer.

Cardiovascular disease is the cause of about 500,000 women’s lives each year!  It actually causes more women’s deaths that the next six causes of death combined!  One in 2.5 women die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases compared with one in 30 who die of breast cancer!

Those statistics are frightening but cardiovascular disease is mostly preventable, so learning more about the risk factors and signs of heart attack and stroke is important for women as well as men. 

You can substantially reduce many of your risk factors for heart disease and stroke with better lifestyle habits such as:

• Adopt a healthy eating plan, choosing the right foods and preparing them in a healthy way.
• Learn to read food labels so you will be able to make healthy choices when grocery shopping.
• Introduce physical activity into your daily routine, whether it is in a structured exercise program or just part of your daily activities.
• If you are unsure of how to plan your menu or physical activity, ask for help from a healthcare professional.
• Quit smoking!  Enter a smoking cessation program, if you are unable to stop on your own.
• See your physician as scheduled and be sure to take any prescribed medications as directed.

Even with the best efforts to minimize risk factors, heart attack and stroke can happen so it is important to know the warning signs! 

Heart attack warning signs include:

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Other signs, such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke warning signs include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known causes.

If you or someone with you has any of the above symptoms, don’t waste time before calling for help.  Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.

For both women and men, coronary heart disease is American’s No. 1 killer and stroke is No. 3.  So it is very important that you reduce your risk by adopting healthy living habits and that you become familiar with the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. 

Ann Gasper is the Marketing Coordinator for HSC Medical Center.