Easy Ways Women Can Put Their Heart Health First

Heart disease claims more women’s lives than cancer. In fact, it’s the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. For nearly two decades, the American Heart Association has stressed the importance of women’s heart health, reminding the public heart disease outpaces breast cancer and all other cancers combined for the number of deaths in women.

“This isn’t only an older woman’s problem but even young women in 30s and 40s are at significant risk,” said Indianapolis cardiologist Angela G. Brittsan, MD, PhD, of Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians. “My advice to women is to get active, get healthy and know your numbers. Please make your health a priority.”

What you do now for your heart will repay you in heart health benefits as you age.

A woman’s risk for heart disease and heart attack increases with the number of risk factors you have and how severe they are. Some risk factors are more dangerous than others. Here's what women need to know about heart health.

What Are A Woman’s Risk Factors For Heart Disease?

The risk factors for heart disease in women include:

• Smoking
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes and prediabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical exercise
• Stress and depression
• Aging
• Family history of heart disease
• Preeclampsia, a condition that develops during pregnancy

How Can Women Reduce Their Risk Of Heart Disease?

Women can reduce their risk of heart disease by taking more preventive steps to manage their heart health.

"In 70% of men and 50% of women, the first symptom of cardiovascular disease is a heart attack," said Omar M. Hamoui, MD, medical director of the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Heart & Vascular Institute. "So if we are waiting for symptoms, this is going to be a big, big disappointment. Many, many people do not get a warning sign. The first warning sign is in the middle of the night, you are having a heart attack."

Awareness and heart disease prevention should start early for women, since many risk factors for heart disease can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.

Prevention is very effective," Dr. Hamoui said. "Many times when you tell someone they're having a heart problem, the first question, the first comment, they say, "I never felt anything. I haven't been to a doctor in ages. And it makes me sad that. What a lost opportunity. If they just had visited a physician, or a provider a year ago or two years ago, things could have been very different."

Making even small changes can lead to big benefits in women's heart health.

"When I think about what can women do, I think it's just even standing up for your own health, right? Making sure that you demand attention. And to me, that means getting screened every year," said Indianapolis cardiologist Stephen Cook, MD, of Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians. "Knowing not only your height, but more importantly, your weight. Knowing what is your blood pressure, asking your primary care physician, "Is my blood pressure normal?" Getting screened for your fasting cholesterol. Knowing your hemoglobin A1c, which is a reflection of your blood sugars. Are you at risk for diabetes? Another risk factor for the development of heart attacks. Ask questions about your health. Talk about with your primary care doctor, what are your chances for developing heart disease and stroke?

Start with taking these five steps to reduce your risk for heart disease:

1. Quit smoking.

There are more aids than ever to help you, starting with our smoking cessation program.

2. Set heart-healthy goals.

Ask your healthcare provider to review reachable heart-healthy goals with you. Work on managing your blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI numbers. If you have diabetes, improving your blood sugar control can help your heart health.

3. Step up your activity.

Try to increase your physical activity each day. Even walking can make a big difference. Consider "exercise snacks" throughout your work day.

4. Eat heart-healthier foods.

Adjust your diet and cooking styles to include non-processed meals and fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Stay away from foods and drinks with added sugar.

5. Cut the stress.

De-stress whenever you can. Even grabbing a minute for yourself can go a long way.

It’s Never Too Early To Start Taking Care Of Your Heart

Women need to start heart-healthy habits early, including not smoking, eating mindfully and incorporating exercise into their schedule.

Regular exercise is also important, and that means more than having an “active lifestyle.”

"So, no shortcuts. You don't have to do superhuman things, but you have to do very deliberate, consistent things to prevent cardiovascular disease, and to limit its impact on your health and longevity,"  Dr. Hamoui said.

Heart-Healthy Screenings

Certain screening tests can help determine if you are at risk for heart disease and provide a baseline for your heart health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends these screening tests beginning at age 20:

• Blood pressure: Once every two years; if your blood pressure is higher than 120/80, you may need to have it checked more often. Women age 65 and older have a greater risk for high blood pressure than men. Learn more about the new blood pressure guidelines.
• Fasting lipoprotein profile: Every four to six years to evaluate total blood cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. Older women are at greater risk than men for high triglycerides.
• Body weight: Your healthcare provider may start recording your waist circumference and your body mass index, or BMI (a measure of body fat based on your height and weight)

At age 45, you should also begin having your blood sugar level measured every three years. This screening test shows when your blood glucose levels are high, which raises your risk for developing diabetes, a risk factor for heart disease.

The AHA also recommends that you and your healthcare provider review your physical activity levels, habits and diet to evaluate your heart health.

Not sure where to start? Ask your healthcare provider about the heart health screenings that make sense for you and how often you should be screened, given your age, your health and family history.