When you’re thinking about Valentines this month, take a little time to think about your own heart and the hearts of those you love. February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association is continuing its long-running and successful campaign to increase awareness of the signs and causes of heart attack and stroke. (Strokes and heart attacks are both part of the circulatory or cardiovascular system and they share many of the same health problems and risk factors.)
It has long been known that heart disease is the #1 killer of men in the U.S. – it’s responsible for almost 25 percent of deaths of males of all races. But did you also know that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S.? It causes nearly as large a percentage of women’s deaths – just over 22 percent.
Knowing the signs of a heart attack, and taking them seriously, can often mean the difference between life and death. And it’s important to know that the signs can be different in men and women.
Chest pain is still the number one sign of a heart attack for both men and women but in men it can be more intense while in women it can radiate up to the jaw and around to the back or neck. Both men and women can feel weak or faint, feel short of breath or have pain in one or both arms. Women have also described intense fatigue and a profound sense of unease.
Being aware of the risk factors associated with heart disease can also help you know if you’re at risk and whether a talk with your healthcare provider is warranted. Age, sex, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes and smoking or vaping are all factors that can put you at elevated risk. While there’s not much you can do about the first two factors, it’s important to know that women are more likely to develop high blood pressure as they age and women who smoke or have diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease than do men. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease for men and women.
The best thing you can do for your heart is to stop smoking or vaping. Next, know your cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as your blood pressure, and work to manage them. Then become or stay active and adopt a healthy diet. And if you find you need to make a change, the best way is often to start small and break your goal into specific measurable tasks (see the January 2022 Roundup about setting and achieving new goals).
Send a Valentine to someone you love and remind them to take care of their heart!