Nicole Monturo discusses the importance of having good heart health in women and why you should take care of your ticker.

1. HEART HEALTH
FOR WOMEN
THE IMPORTANCE OF
Nicole Monturo

2. that heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among
women every year? The American Heart Association’s Go Red
For Women program encourages all women to live a healthy
and happy lifestyle by making necessary lifestyle changes to
minimize risk of heart disease. By being informed and taking
action, women can take control of their heart health. Here are a
few bullet points about the importance of heart health and what
you can do to maintain healthy habits.
Did you know...

3. Oddly enough, women’s signs for heart disease are different
than the well-known signs men show. Typically, men will notice
numbness or tingling in their extremities, chest pain, or an
irregular heartbeat. However, women’s symptoms are subtler
and harder to detect because they aren’t the symptoms that
have been popularized by health associations over the years.
Women’s signs may include indigestion, back pain, and maybe
even jaw pain -- which make it easy to diagnose as another
health issue.
Women’s Heart Health is
Different Than Men’s

4. As with any health concern, there are a number of risk factors
women should be aware of. Unfortunately, some factors like
age, gender, race, and family history can’t be controlled.
However, some risk factors can controlled with good health
practices. Below are some controlled risk factors and ideas
about what you can do to improve your overall heart health.
Know Your Risk Factors

5. High Blood
Pressure
The ideal blood pressure
measurement is 120/80.
Any number 140 or higher
is considered high blood
pressure. To keep your
blood pressure in check,
make sure you exercise,
eat right, and minimize the
bad habits like smoking
and drinking.
Obesity
The heavier your weight,
the increased chance for
higher blood pressure. Not
only does obesity increase
your chances for high
blood pressure and heart
disease, but it increases
your risk for diabetes as
well.
Lack of
Physical
Activity
We all know that a lack of
physical activity can lead
to weight gain. With our
busy society, finding time
to exercise can be difficult.
A brisk 30-minute walk
every day or simply getting
the housecleaning done
can be enough to
stimulate your heart.

6. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you’re restricted to bland foods
that are low in fat and calories. Although eating plenty of fruits
and vegetables is critical to maintaining a healthy diet, you may
still eat some fun foods as well! A 4-ounce glass of red wine can
encourage cholesterol levels, and dark chocolate that’s at least
70 percent cocoa is indeed heart healthy!
Maintain a Healthy Diet

7. HEART HEALTH
IS IMPORTANT!