February is American Heart Month. Now is a good time to find out what’s going wrong with your cardiovascular health.
Experts say that women over 50 need to pay a little more attention to some aspects of their heart health.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women, said Dr. Stacey Rosen, a New York-based cardiologist at Northwell Health.
During American Heart Month, cardiologists answer common questions about heart health on Google
Rosen told Fox News Digital that nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 actually have some form of cardiovascular disease.
Gender-specific risk factors include menstrual history and adverse pregnancy outcomes, she said.
According to experts, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women. In preparation for American Heart Month in February, here are the risk factors women should know about and how to deal with them. (St. Petersburg)
“Other gender-specific risk factors include anxiety and depression, increased risk from certain treatments for breast cancer, and rheumatic diseases,” she said.
Dr. John White, WebMD’s chief medical officer and based in Washington, D.C., also spoke to FOX News Digital about some of the main risk factors for women over 50 starting with menopause.
Is it menopause?6 hidden symptoms that women should know about now
“Decreased estrogen levels after menopause are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons [we see an] Heart attacks increase at this age. ”
White said high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels also often increase with age and can be “more difficult to control.”
According to experts, gender-specific risk factors for heart disease include menopause, menstrual history, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. (St. Petersburg)
“Changes in cholesterol levels, such as increases in ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and decreases in ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, can increase the risk of heart disease,” he said.
The risk of diabetes increases with age, Dr. White says, and along with other health factors such as obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, it significantly increases the likelihood of heart disease.
“Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of heart disease and other comorbidities,” he added.
Symptoms to watch out for
Women often experience heart symptoms differently than men, so they may not have the “classic chest pain that radiates to the left arm,” White said.
Instead, women may notice unusual or extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and indigestion.
Two women with heart disease had to fight to get a diagnosis.Here’s how they defended their health
Experts say pain in the jaw, neck, and upper back is often overlooked because it often occurs without the chest pain associated with a heart attack.
“The symptoms that women experience with heart disease can often be different,” says New York’s Rosen.
“Don’t ignore new symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or indigestion.”
Symptoms of heart disease in women may appear as unusual or severe fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and indigestion. (St. Petersburg)
White pointed out that there are several routine tests to monitor heart health.
The doctor said blood pressure tests were “very important” because “hypertension is a silent killer”.
Study finds that young people who lose a sibling are at increased risk of heart disease
An annual cholesterol profile check monitors your levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol), LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides (lipid fats).
“It’s not just total cholesterol that’s important, but LDL as well,” says White.
An annual cholesterol profile check can help you monitor your HDL (“good” cholesterol), LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and triglyceride levels. (St. Petersburg)
White said blood sugar tests can also help monitor diabetes, a “significant risk factor for heart disease,” as well as coronary artery calcium scores to determine risk.
Experts recommend that people with symptoms or significant risk factors can check for abnormal heart rhythms through an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG).
Study says sleeping longer on weekends may prevent heart attacks
“It’s important to have a primary care clinician who knows you well and can help determine the need for further evaluation,” Rosen added.
“Build a long-term, trusting relationship with your primary care clinician,” she recommended. “Now is the time to be a ‘good’ patient. Ask about preventive strategies and cardiovascular tests that are right for you.”
Strategies to keep your mind happy
Mr Rosen said the majority of cardiovascular diseases are preventable through lifestyle changes, increased awareness and education, meaning “heart health is in your own hands”. .
“Know your numbers, including your cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, because all are important modifiable risk factors,” she says.
Experts said health factors such as obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of heart disease. (St. Petersburg)
To help maintain your daily health, White listed several foods that are known to promote heart health.
These include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Whole grains for fiber and nutrients. Lean proteins like fish and chicken. Healthy fat nuts and seeds. Legumes for dietary fiber and protein. Coffee and tea for antioxidants.
Limiting sugary foods and drinks can help prevent obesity and diabetes.
Experts say some of the foods to avoid include red meat, butter, cheese, and saturated and trans fats found in processed foods.
Avoiding excess salt can also help prevent high blood pressure, while limiting sugary foods and drinks can help prevent obesity and diabetes.
White added that processed and junk foods should be avoided as well, as they are “generally high in unhealthy fats, sugars and salt.”
White said to promote heart health, people should avoid saturated and trans fats found in red meat, butter, cheese and processed foods. (St. Petersburg)
She recommended that women over 50 should participate in regular physical activity, including at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of “vigorous exercise” each week.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
“Start anywhere,” he advised. Please execute “10” [minutes] 4,000 steps a day or a day…and increase slowly. Don’t get discouraged if you think you can’t do 150. [minutes]. ”
Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise can help prevent heart complications, as well as help you quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, and manage stress.
One expert told FOX News Digital that it’s important for women over 50 to prioritize sleep and stress management. (St. Petersburg)
White suggested that women should try stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, deep breathing, and get enough sleep.
“Lack of sleep can cause chronic inflammation, so try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night,” he said.
Rosen agreed that while it’s important to be mindful of daily lifestyle choices like healthy eating and exercise, it’s also important for women over 50 to prioritize sleep and stress management.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Talk to your doctor about the advances you’ve made to follow a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
“For example, I’m better able to deal with the issue of sleep disorders than ever before. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
