The Top 5 Tips For Women To Ensure a Healthy Heart

Most people carry the impression that  heart disease is more prevalent in men than women. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Women and men suffer from heart-related diseases in equal number  today and both the genders suffer nearly the same amount of fatalities each year. The only difference is that in men, cardiovascular disease is seen earlier while women develop heart problems at a later stage in  their lives.

Most women think breast cancer or uterine cancer pose the greatest risk to their health.  However, the biggest cause of death in women is heart disease. The condition is often difficult to diagnose in women as the symptoms are different from those in men.  They do not generally complain of chest pain and shortness of breath. In women, fatigue, feelings of uneasiness or flu-like symptoms are more commonly associated with heart disease.

Thankfully, the medical professionals are today aware that women are under-treated in instances of heart diseases as the symptoms are not present prominently.

The risk factors for heart disease are similar in men and women. These are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and genetics. Of these, apart from genetics, all other risk factors can be managed to minimize the chances of heart-related diseases.

The top five heart health tips for women as given below can help them enjoy a healthy and qualitatively better life:

Take Time Out for Physical Activity:

Exercise at least thrice a week for at least 30 minutes daily. Do cardio exercises but under the supervision of an expert. When the heart rate is increased through physical activity it can minimize the chances of an attack significantly. Some other ways of increasing physical activity:

• Use the staircase instead of the lift
• Walk to buy groceries and other essentials instead of driving
• Briskly walk for half an hour in the evening or after lunch

Keep Away from Alcohol and Tobacco:

Alcoholic beverages can increase blood pressure and cause an increase in cardiovascular problems. Smoking can also cause heart-specific health issues.

Cultivate Healthy Eating Habits:

A plant-based diet can help lower the risk of heart diseases. Food items that have low total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content can lower the chances of cardiovascular diseases. A heart healthy diet must include:

• Poultry, fish and preferably white meat
• Food items made of refined grains
• Butter, cream, skimmed milk, and similar dairy products

Also, do not keep eating until your stomach is full.

Limit Static Activities to Bare Minimum:

A sedentary lifestyle is an invitation to heart diseases. If you  lead an inactive life, the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes can increase significantly. It is important to minimize immobile activities. If you spend long hours on the couch watching your favorite soap, change that at once.  If you are spending a lot of time curled up on the bed with your favorite book, choose to take a stroll.

Get Your Health Parameters Checked Regularly:

Women scarcely take out time for themselves as they are busy caring for their loved ones.  A regular and comprehensive health checkup can help discover symptoms of heart-related diseases. Early detection can help in better management of the condition.

It is important for women to pay attention to their health. If you feel fatigued most of the time or  shortness of breath, it could be an indication of a weak heart. Do not take it lightly. See a doctor at once.