Heartfelt Conversation: Women Face Great Health Threats from Cardiovascular Disease | Life

However, a recent AHA survey found that only 44% of women were aware of this fact, a significant decrease from the 65% recorded in 2009. The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) collaborated with a local AHA branch last week to host a virtual event, Go Red For Women, to raise awareness and inform women of what they can do to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. Did.

February marks the American Heart Month, and Dr. Anita Radhakrishnan, who attends a cardiologist at the AHN Women’s Heart Center, was a key panelist at the AHA-sponsored virtual event “A Conversation from the Heart” on February 5.

One of the key issues she discussed was the gap between recognition and treatment of heart problems in the color community. According to AHA, according to recent market research, the youngest and most diverse women are least aware that cardiovascular disease is the most health threat.

“People still think it’s breast cancer or some form of cancer,” said Radhakrishnan. “This treatise was very interesting in that non-white African-Americans and Hispanic women were really unaware that they had to make a special attempt to educate them. They were also young people between the ages of 30 and 50. “

According to her, more aware women have emerged and are being screened for possible heart problems.

Heart disease does more than just affect women as they get older. One of the advance warning signs that a woman may develop cardiovascular problems in later years actually occurs during childbirth. During pregnancy, the cardiovascular system needs to be adapted to meet the additional needs of the growing foetation, which leads to increased blood volume and heart rate.

It can be seen as a stress test of overall cardiovascular health.

“Pregnant women who develop pre-eclampsia (hypertension), gestational diabetes, or placental problems during pregnancy are at increased risk of heart disease in the future,” said Radhakrishnan.

Women with autoimmune disease and cancer patients receiving radiation or chemotherapy are all at increased risk or have heart disease in the future. Early menopause before the ages of 40 and 50 also increases the risk.

“Therefore, these are more new populations than normal high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes,” she said. “If you’re in this group, you’ll need to see a cardiologist within three months to be screened for heart disease, as some risk factors that men don’t have are enhanced. . “

Heart disease is a comprehensive term that covers many illnesses. The most common causes of death are heart attack and coronary artery disease. This is when the blood to the heart muscle is blocked. The term also covers congestive heart failure, valvular dysfunction, arrhythmias, and congenital heart disease.

“Coronary artery disease has a lot of data to show that it is preventable and that if you do the right thing, you can prevent a heart attack if you take care of yourself,” says Radhakrishnan. “And it’s a big focus in educating patients. There are a lot of things you know and you can’t control. You can’t control if you have a genetic problem, but the coronary Arterial disease is preventable in most cases. “

What should I do? The best secret is diet and exercise.

Radhakrishnan recommended a healthy heart diet based on a Mediterranean-style diet such as olive oil, lean meats, lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. She said women should reduce refined carbohydrates, lean meats, and sweet and processed foods.

As for exercise, the American Heart Association recommends strenuous exercise such as running and aerobics three times a week, or moderate exercise such as fast walking, swimming, and yoga five days a week. Smokers should work with their doctors to quit smoking because it is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

Radhakrishnan said women should also work to reduce stress.

A recent AHA study looked at psychosocial stressors and how they affect heart disease.

“They found that people with high psychosocial stress find coping mechanisms that are unhealthy for them,” she said. “You tend to eat worse, not exercise, you tend to ignore yourself, you tend to abandon yourself, you don’t handle your emotions. There are many things that actually exacerbate stress. . “

Finally, women need to know their numbers, as cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and the classification of obesity index are all factors that contribute to the risk of heart disease.