The American Heart Association is launching the HEART for Women campaign to raise awareness and fight heart disease in women.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and the numbers are staggering – costing over 349,000 American women their lives each year. And yet many women do not even realize they are at risk – nor do their physicians.
Today is National Wear Red Day, it's a simple, powerful way to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke.
Though I was joking about it earlier, I have to add that if you feel any warning signs of heart attack or stroke, seek emergency help right away, even if you think it's "just indigestion".
Sometimes, women in particular, don't have the stereotypical warning signs. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. If you get checked out and it's nothing, don't forget that's a GOOD thing.
Better "embarrassed" than dead.
Go Red has resources and information about heart disease in women. Many of us have been touched by heart disease, let's help fight for equal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for women.
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Amen, sister! Go get them tickers inspected!
It should also be mentioned that symptoms in women can be different from symptoms in men. Last year, I started experiencing shortness of breath when I would bring in groceries or walk the dog for a short period of time. This was before Thanksgiving and I kept telling myself I'd get it checked out after Christmas because the shortness of breath would go away after I rested for a little while and I just chalked it up to being a smoker at the time and carrying too much weight. However, the week before Thanksgiving, after a short walk to the kitchen for a drink of water and returning to the bedroom, I had a spell of shortness of breath which nothing relieved. I woke my husband up and he called an ambulance. Bottom line, I had major blockage and they put one stent in the following day and I returned to the hospital the next week to have a second one put in. Don't ignore any symptoms that are out of the ordinary - even if there's no pain, you could be having a heart attack.
This post is a very important reminder. Thank you!
Thank you, it is very important to get symptoms checked!
I thought I was having mini-heartattacks and went to the doctor. Turns out I just have acid reflux, but I'm still glad I went! More coffee, please, and pass the tums.
What the doctors don't tell you, is that heart disease is really chronic scurvy. If you take enough vitamin C you can't get heart disease.
And acid reflux is a result of too little stomach acid. Tums makes it worse. Apple cider vinegar mixed with a little honey is good treatment, taken with meals.
When you find out that you've got to lower your cholesterol, it can seem like you're doomed. I found that in addition to whole grains and such, soy protein (25 grams/day) can help your efforts too. I found a great product (that isn't chalky) and you can meet consumption requirements with one bar or shake instead of worrying about getting it in all day long. Try Revival Soy, it works for me!