What Women Need to Know About Heart Health

A leading cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease. However, many women are not aware of the symptoms of a heart attack and do not know how to reduce their risk for heart disease.

What Are the Symptoms of A Heart Attack?

Common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. It’s important to note that women can experience different symptoms than men, so it is important to be aware of all the possible signs.

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, shoulder, and arm on one side of the body
  • Shortness of breath that might or might not include chest discomfort
  • Nausea
  • Light-headedness
  • Upper abdominal pain

Does Sleep Impact Your Heart Health?

It is important to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can increase your heart disease risk. Make sure you are getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. We often try to fool ourselves that we don’t need that much, but the truth is that we do. Stringing together, even just a few nights of little sleep can begin to have an impact.

The health of your heart reflects the health of your body as a whole. Sleep is one of the most important aspects of heart health, and research has shown that if you’re not getting the recommended amount of sleep, it can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Sleep is essential for good health overall. It helps to repair and rebuild muscles and tissues throughout the body, including the heart. It also strengthens your immune system, improves brain function, and helps you focus better during the day.

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease?

Some simple steps you can take to protect your heart include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Additionally, it is important to avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol.

You can also reduce your risk of heart disease by getting regular check-ups and screenings from your doctor. This includes getting your cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly.

If you have any risk factors for heart disease, be sure to talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk. Risk factors for heart disease include being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, having high cholesterol, or having a family history of heart disease.

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/10/04/6-things-every-woman-should-know-about-heart-health#:~:text=Among%20women%2C%2090%25%20have%20one,of%20cardiovascular%20diseases%20are%20preventable.&text=It’s%20important%20to%20get%20annual,and%20take%20action%2C%20Mieres%20said.

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/sleep.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502