Saturday, April 17, 2010

Heart Health for Chicks!

Heart attacks are often seen as a man's disease. Sadly, heart disease is also the leading killer of women. The statistics are pretty much even for guys and girls when it comes to heart health -- and they are certainly not good. Women might think that breast cancer is their top concern - in fact, if you are over 25, you need to watch out for a heart attack more than anything else. So, what whole food supplements can you take, and what lifestyle changes can you make, to help keep the center of your womanly emotions in great health?!
Understanding risk factors
Understanding what puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack is the first step in reducing that risk! Here are the top risk factors for heart disease development, and heart attack death, for women.
  • Age
  • Family predisposition
You can't change either of these factors. But you can be aware that if you are over 55 or have a history of bad heart health in the family, you'll need to pay extra attention to these next factors.
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Not doing enough exercise
  • Having diabetes
  • Being overweight
  • Having metabolic syndrome
  • A waist measurement of 35 inches or more
  • Being under overwhelming, or long-term, low level stress.
The answers
For most of us, the answer is in the question. Look at the risk factors that apply to you … and reverse them. You can also help yourself get more energy for exercise, support your quest to stop smoking, and help yourself lose weight with organic vitamins and supplements like Garden of Life's Diet 360.
Symptoms of a heart attack
These can be very vague - but if you experience more than three of them simultaneously, take yourself to the hospital.
  • Fullness, discomfort, or tightness in the chest
  • Being short of breath
  • Pain in the upper abdomen
  • Feeling a fluttering in your chest, or a pounding sensation
  • Nausea and digestive upsets like vomiting
  • Sweating heavily for no reason
  • Being very weak and dizzy


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