Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women living in the United States, according to numerous studies. In fact, American women are four to six times more prone to die from heart disease compared to breast cancer.
Moreover, heart disease kills more women in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association. According to statistics, approximately every 80 seconds a woman dies from heart disease or stroke.
If you’re a woman and you’re concerned about the health of your heart, these are the symptoms that should prompt you to visit a physician as soon as possible:
- Discomfort in the neck, throat, shoulders, jaw, upper back and abs;
- Nausea, vomiting, dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent sweating
- Unusual fatigue
How to prevent heart disease
Opt for a healthy diet: eat lots of whole grains, veggies, fruits, low-fat dairy, protein and healthy fats. Your diet must also include foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Since being overweight plays a crucial role in developing heart disease, losing weight is a must. And fiber helps lose weight and fills you up for long periods of time. And that’s a win-win.
Watch your fat intake
Keep your fat intake limited to 20 to 35 percent of your total calories, while only 10 percent of those fats should be received from saturated fats. According to studies, saturated fats are bad for the heart health. So be sure to limit (or exclude from the diet at all) the intake of such foods: sausages, bacon, fatty kinds of meat, ice cream, butter and other dairy high in fat.
Veggies and fruits are your friends
Vegetables and fruits scare away heart disease. They are high in fiber and antioxidants and also normalize your blood pressure (high blood pressure is a wide-spread factor for heart attack and stroke).
