Experts say that one may have a healthy-looking body, and may be following a strict fitness regime, but that doesn’t ensure that their heart is healthy. Then what does? Let’s find out.
HOLISTIC FITNESS IS THE KEY:-
If you are measuring the level of fitness based on physical health only, then you are doing it wrong. Fitness is holistic and includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. “A person who works out regularly, but is under immense stress is considered less fit than someone who works out less frequently yet is in a healthy manner.” High cholesterol, unhealthy lifestyle, plaque-build, and stress are some of the primary reasons for artery blockage that can lead to a heart attack if not diagnosed in time.
MENOPAUSE IS A RISK FACTOR:-
Another important issue that experts say needs to be addressed is how heart attacks in younger women challenge the traditional notion that women are at low risk of a heart attack in their reproductive years because of higher level of the estrogen hormone. As women near menopause, the body produces less estrogen and that may increase the risk of heart ailments.
“After menopause, women must watch out for the conventional symptoms of a heart attack along with risk factors that traditionally men and women suffer equally if they have diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, stress, depression, are smokers or are not in the habit of regular exercise. Menopause and pregnancy-related complications are other risk factors. If someone has a history of heart disease or any other chronic inflammatory disease, that would make them susceptible to heart attacks.”
WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS OF HEART ATTACKS?:-
- Hypertension
- Blood pressure
- Smoking/Vaping
- Diabetes
- High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- Stress and depression.
- Unhealthy diet.
WOMEN CAN HAVE CLASSIC AS WELL AS ATYPICAL SYMPTOMS:-
“Women have an advantage of 10 years in terms of getting cardiovascular disease (CVD) usually around the age of 55, compared to men who can get CVD around the age of 45, in terms of possible signs and symptoms, women can have both classical and atypical symptoms. Classical symptoms are chest pain with radiation to the left arm, jaw, and neck whereas, an atypical presentation can be dizziness, abdominal bloating, unusual sweating, fatigue, and breathlessness etc.”
DON’T IGNORE ANY SYMPTOMS:-
- Compression or pressure in the center of the chest which could last minutes or hours.
- Non-chest pain like jaw pain, neck pain, pain in the shoulder, or both arms or upper abdomen belly.
- Shortness of breath or sudden nausea.
- Dizziness, recurrent indigestion, or heartburn.
HOW CAN YOU REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE?:-
- Regularly get your blood pressure checked as high blood pressure has no symptoms.
- Get yourself tested for diabetes, and immediately bring changes to your diet and lifestyle based on what your doctor says.
- Quit smoking right away as it can build up plaque in your arteries and restrict blood flow resulting in a heart attack.
- Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Even short doses of activity are good for your heart.
- Limit your alcohol consumption and try to eat clean.
- Manage stress levels.
NOTE — ALL WOMEN SHOULD EXERCISE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES A DAY. WEIGHT CONTROL IS IMPORTANT AND SMOKING SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
