Small Heart Habits That Matter More Than You Think

February is National Heart month, know your risks, the symptoms o a heart attack and give a little love to your heart.

Heart Month

By midlife, women have spent years caring for children, partners, aging parents, work, and community often setting their own needs aside along the way. February, National Heart Month, offers a moment for pause and for attention: to consider how heart health in midlife is shaped stress, sleep, strength, movement and connection. This isn’t about doing more-more walking, more protein, more rules. It’s about caring for yourself, and understanding the subtle signs of heart disease and heart attacks in women.

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the US? Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes a year! According to the CDC, in 2022, 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States was caused by heart disease.

And ladies, pay attention because heart disease is the LEADING cause of death for women and can affect you at any age.

Women and Heart Disease

These are some pretty eye opening statistics and something that we need to be more aware of, especially women. Many women are not aware of the risks of heart attacks, and women in their 20’s and 30’s think they are too young to have one. Not to mention that many people think that heart disease is an old man’s disease. Wrong!

The NIH has created an awareness program called Yes, You aimed at bringing awareness to women their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, with a focus on black and Latina women.

Women are different than men in many ways but also when it comes to heart disease and symptoms. Our hearts and blood vessels are smaller and we are more likely to have heart disease in the tiny arteries of which makes the disease harder to identify. (NHLBI)

Know Your Risks

Two out of three women have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease, and this increases with age.

Your risk of heart disease is higher if:

• You have high blood pressure
• You have high cholesterol
• You are overweight or obese
• You have diabetes
• You smoke
• You do not get regular exercise
• You have a family history of early heart disease
• You have unhealthy eating habits
• You are older
• Excessive use of alachol
• Have Mental health problems such as stress, marital problems, anxiety, depression, or low social support

Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women and Men

• In women chest pain is more likely to happen while doing routine activities, rather than exercise. In men it typically worsen with physical activity but then when they rest it goes away.
• Stress more often causes angina pain in women than men.
• In addition to the pressure, tightness and squeezing pain that both men and women experience women may also have pain in the neck, jaw and throat.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Sleep problems
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Cold Sweats

6 Things You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and a Live Longer, Healthier Life

NOTE: I am not a doctor, this information is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not offering medical advice. ALWAYS consult your physician for questions you may have about your health.

1. Maintain a healthy weight and diet.
2. Manage Stress

1. Quit Smoking and Vaping. Smoking is one of the leading factors of heart disease.
2. Get Enough Quality Sleep
3. Exercise, can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. Aim for 150 minutes a week.
4. See Your Doctor for annual checkups and screenings

Until Next Time

In this Heart Month, I hope this post encourages you to notice your own heart and to care for it. If anything feels off, check in with your doctor. And thank you, for sharing a moment of your day with me.

You’re welcome to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And if you enjoy Pinecones & Acorns, sharing it with a friend is always a lovely way to spread the conversation.

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Sources

1. National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple Cause of Death 2018–2022 on CDC WONDER Database. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd.html
2. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association
3.  The Symptoms of a Heart Attack Look Different for Men and Women.
4. Women and Heart Disease, NHLBI.
5. ABCs of Heath Health
6. CDC Heart Disease Facts

On My Radar~Valentine’s Day