New Heart Guidelines For Women

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

23 Feb 2007 08:10 PM

Heart disease is the number one health threat for women -- one in every three women in America dies of heart disease. But heart disease and stroke are preventable. The American Heart Association released new guidelines to help women keep their hearts healthy and happy for a long time.

The new guidelines have three elements: a healthy lifestyle, taking care of major heart disease risk factors, and using appropriate medication. Taking care of your heart starts early: if you are age twenty or older, see your doctor to talk about your heart disease risk.

• Only one in ten women will be at "optimal risk" -- that means no real risk of heart disease. Stick with your heart healthy lifestyle!
• Most women will be "at risk" -- that means it's time to start thinking about preventing heart disease and stroke. Stop smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise for thirty minutes daily, and watch your weight. Your doctor may suggest blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medicine, or regular aspirin to reduce risk of stroke.
• Many women will be at "high risk" -- meaning you may already have heart disease, or a condition like diabetes that increases your risk of heart disease. You may need more aggressive medical treatment, in addition to things you may already be doing. You'll also need to stop smoking, make healthy diet changes, exercise every day, and watch your weight.

The American Heart Association also suggests that women with heart disease be evaluated for depression.

Not sure what makes up a heart-healthy diet? Start with these guidelines:

• Make the majority of your diet from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other high fiber foods, and oily fish.
• Eat 300 milligrams of cholesterol -- or less -- each day.
• Cut back on trans fats, or eliminate them entirely.
• Cut back on saturated fats.
• Limit salt intake to one teaspoon per day.
• Limit alcohol intake to one drink per day -- or less.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Kristyn Crow (2546) 23 Feb 2007 11:27 PM

Crucial information for every woman. Thanks.

Wesleysgranny (173) 03 May 2007 07:40 PM

I have multiple sclerosis. I would like to talk to others with the disease to how you get by. Thanks for your support.