Give Your Heart Some Love and Attention

Women are natural nurturers. We have big hearts – mainly for others. We make sure our families are well fed, healthy and happy. We can spend so much time caring and giving, we neglect our own needs, especially those involving our health. While busy and distracted, we sometimes ignore signs that a silent predator could be waiting in the background.

HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER AMONG WOMEN in the United States. In fact, heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, according to the American Heart Association. That is more than all cancers combined. Almost every 80 seconds, a woman dies from a cardiovascular disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE? KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS!

Heart disease includes several types of conditions, such as coronary artery disease and heart attack. While most risk factors can be hereditary, there is good news – about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through diet, increasing daily activity and working with your doctor to monitor and control blood pressure and cholesterol. Give your heart some love!

5 Risks for Heart Disease

• Diabetes
• Being Overweight or Obese
• Eating an Unhealthy Diet
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Consuming Too Much Alcohol

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS

• African Americans are at a higher risk for heart disease than other ethnic groups. Nearly 48% of African American women and 44% of African American men have some form of heart disease.
• Although African American adults are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, they are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control.
• Outside of that 1 in 3 women will deal with this disease. African American women are nearly 60 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.

Memorial takes a comprehensive approach toward the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease with a highly skilled staff and the latest technology. Learn more about our Heart and Vascular Services.