"
"No matter what your age or where you feel you are in your life, the best time to take action and get healthy is always right now. From jogging with your friends, to swapping healthy recipes, to keeping up with loved ones and learning your family history, your heart health depends on a life-long commitment. As always, the first way for you, as a woman, to Go Red is to take good care of yourself every day. Because when you do, your life can be as beautiful as you are yourself."     -American Heart Associaton

February is Heart Awareness Month. But did you know that every year, heart disease takes more women's lives than men's? Yet most women don't know the risks or how to stay heart healthy.  The good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented.

National Wear Red Day is a powerful way to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke.  The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement celebrating the energy, passion and power we have to band together and wipe out heart disease.  The message of Go Red for Women is to empower women to love and save their hearts through lifestyle choices and actions.

         
Know the facts about women and heart disease

• Heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #3 killers of women over age 25.
• One in three women in the United States currently suffers from some for of cardiovascular diseae.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, claims nearly twice as many women's lives as all forms of cancer.
• One in 2.6 women die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer.  
• 38% of women die within one year after an initial heart attack, compared with 25% of men.
• 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• Within six years after a recognized heart attack, 35% of women will have another heart attack, 11% will have a stroke, 46% will be disabled with heart failure, and 6% will experience sudden cardiac death.
  

Decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and participating in moderate exercise at least 30 minutes a day can help lower risks.

Simple ways to show love your heart...

1. Celebrate with a check-up.  Go for yearly check-ups and talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk for heart disease.
2. Get off the couch.  Do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
3. Quit smoking.  Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half.
4. Drop a pound or two.  Cutting out just 200-300 calories a day can help you lose up to two pounds per week and gradually bring you closer to a heart healthy weight.
5. Become a salt detective.  Aim for a total intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt) per day.
6. Manage Stress. Ongoing or chronic emotional, physical or mental stress can expose your body to persistent levels of stress hormones, which can negatively impact your health. Take a time out each day to relax!

            
National Wear Red Day is a chance for women to arm themselves with knowledge about this devastating disease and to raise funds that will help the AHA advance it's research and education efforts.  For more information, visit the American Heart Association @ www.goredforwomen.org.  

WELLNESS TIP: Begin today with small, simple steps, and utulize the educational information and services offered through Intrinsic Health Source. Let us help you reduce stress while supporting you on your heart disease prevention plan. Treat your heart with love and it will serve you well! Trying to enhance your healthy eating habits? Check out our wellness champion blog for nutrition tips and information.


Ciao for now!
Jeannine

Check out additional resources below:

American Heart Association  "Choose to Reduce Your Risk" web page.

WebMD "Heart Disease and Stress"


Source: American Heart Association.