What are the symptoms for women?
Warning signs of heart disease for women are often subtle and may include:

Please visit our Heart Check page for important screening, education, and goal setting for women ages 30 and older.

	breathlessness, often without any chest pain
	pain in the upper back, shoulder, neck or jaw
	pain, squeezing, fullness or pressure in the center of the chest
	fatigue, weakness, dizziness
	heart palpitations, paleness
	flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, clamminess, cold sweats
	feelings of anxiety

If you experience any of these symptoms, get help right away. Don’t wait to “be sure.” If you’re not satisfied with the answers you get, continue to ask questions.

Are you at risk?
You are at risk for heart disease if you:

	smoke
	have high blood pressure
	have a family history of heart disease
	have a high triglyceride/cholesterol level
	are overweight
	are not physically active
	are under chronic stress
	are diabetic
	are post-menopausal
	don’t see your doctor regularly
	don’t care for your own health needs the way you do for others'

What can you do?
Although the list of risk factors is long, the good news is that many of them can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication. Here are just some of the things you can do to lower your risk:

Quit smoking. Smokers are two to six times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers. Some tips for quitting? Join a program, wear a patch, chew gum, keep your hands busy, brush your teeth when you first wake up and after you eat. You can do it! Contact RMH Healthsource at 433-4580 for information on individual or group smoking cessation programs offered through RMH.

Eat a healthy diet, emphasizing foods low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fruits and vegetables. Try eating a fruit or vegetable at each meal and adding fish to the menu at least once a week. Little changes can make a big difference!

Get moving. Just like any other muscle, the heart is strengthened through exercise. Regular exercise also lowers blood pressure, increases flexibility of blood vessel walls and lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Again, a little change can make a big difference. Add a daily walk, take the stairs, park further from your destination. Start slowly and work up to 20-30 minutes. Check with your doctor before adding exercise to your routine if you have pre-existing medical conditions or any of the symptoms of heart disease listed here.

Manage your stress. Women’s lives are full of demands. Stress is unavoidable, but it is also manageable. Even though your schedule is hectic, take time to connect with others and build a support system. Share your feelings with someone you trust, exercise regularly and set aside time each day to do something you find relaxing—reading, yoga, praying, taking a bath—whatever clears your mind and refreshes you. Remember, you can’t care for others if you don’t care for yourself!

Get regular check-ups. Ask your doctor the following questions:

1. What is my risk for heart disease and what can I do to lower it?
2. What tests for heart disease do I need?
3. What are my numbers and what do they mean?
   

   	Blood pressure
   	Cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides)
   	Blood sugar

4. Do I need to lose or gain weight for my health?
5. How much and what kind of physical activity do I need to protect my heart?
6. How can you help me quit smoking?
7. What is a healthy eating plan for me?
8. How will menopause affect my heart?

Now you know. Heart disease is not just a man’s problem. It could be your problem—so talk to your doctor. Know your risks and work on lowering them.

For more information, talk with your doctor or call
RMH HealthSource 433-4580 or 800-433-4580

*American Heart Association statistics