Bodies By M.E.

In my last few entries on this website I strongly recommended agressive lifestyle modifications.This I can’t state strong enough,if you smoke you should stop,if you don’t smoke, please don’t start.Again, it’s amazing to me with all the information out there about the horrible health consequences of breathing in cigarette smoke 1.4 million Americans start smoking each year (half under the age of eighteen).We all understand the link between smoking and cancer, but smoking doubles or triples your risk of developing cornary artery disease,according to the American Heart Association.Let me help you help yourself,there are a number of effective treatments now avaliable, such as nicotine patches, gum or other nicotine replacement products, counseling,behavior modification thearpies, and medication. If you have any doupt on whether you should quit, think about the long and painful death of cancer or how your family will feel when you are know longer around to share precious memories with them.

For more information log onto:www.lungusa.org or www.4women.gov

Heart disease should top the list of women’s health concerns; unfortunatly it doesn’t even come close. Many women have a fear of breast cancer and dutifully present annually for a mammography while remaining oblivious to their risk of heart disease.Many physicians and women lack knowledge about the serious threat cardiovascular disease poses to women.Here is a fact,57% of women in 2006 knew that CVD is the number one killer of women,according to statistics provided by the National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBL 2007).This is a improvment from 34% in 2000. Fewer than 1 in 5 doctors in 2004 knew that more women than men die each year of CVD. The signs of an impending cardiac event are much different than men.Women tend not to expierence the typical signs such as “chest pain”, instead complain more of aching or tightness in the area.Women may expierence these different symptoms 4 to 6 months before a cardiac event occures.Even when medical personnel do recognize that a women might be experiencing a cardiac event they often do not get the treatment they need.Women typically receive fewer cardiac procedures,such as catherization and bypass surgery,thrombolitic thearpy,cardiac rehabilitation or even drug thearpy.With improved knowledge and agressive lifestyle changes disasterous outcomes can be avoided.

Although many women worry about their risk of getting breast cancer,heart disease is actually the leading killer of females in America (1). Not only does heart disease kill more women,but the women who do survive a cardiac event recover much worse than their male counterparts. Women and their physicians often fail to realize the tole that cardiovascular disease can take on the female body. As a result preventive lifestyle recommendations are not strongly adhered to on a daily basis. Latest research supports the importance of lifestyle modifications when it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease.

All women should be encouraged to follow the following guidelines:

 

1. Quit smoking
2. Aim for a healthy body mass index.A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered optimal.Weight loss of 5%-10% also reduces your risk of CVD.
3. Engage in regular exercise. I recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity daily.If weight loss is a concern 60-90 minutes. Try to incorporate enjoyable activities into your daily routine.A brisk walk with your dog or a friend counts.
4. If you have a history of diagnosed CVD participate in a hospital based cardiac rehab program.
5. Eat a healthy diet.Think fruits, vegetables, whole grains high fiber and lean sources protein.Consume fish ( in particular oily fish like salmon,trout and tuna) at least twice a week.Limit sodium,alcohol and saturated fat .Avoid trans fat at all cost.
6. Seek help for depression.Depression plays havoc with our heart and arteries.

All these strategies may sound straight forward,3% of all americans eat healthy,engage in physiacl activity, and maintain a healthy weight. This leaves a lot of room for all of us to work towards this worthy goal.