Women have the power to prevent heart disease

If you're a wife, mother or daughter, chances are you've talked to the man in your life about heart disease. Maybe you've reminded him to have a cholesterol and blood pressure screening, or maybe you've scheduled a doctor's appointment for him.

Now it's time to pay attention to your own heart. If you don't, you could be part of a growing number of women who are struggling with the life-altering effects of heart disease and stroke.

In the United States, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, claiming the lives of more females than males. More women die from heart disease than breast cancer. In fact, heart attack and stroke claim more lives than the next seven leading causes of death.

If you're like most women, you may not identify yourself as a candidate for heart disease. You're busy worrying about the health needs of your husband, children and, in some cases, elderly parents. It's easy to minimize the signs that something is wrong with your health.

It's also easy to mistake the symptoms of a heart attack because, for women, they're often different from what we've heard about. Women are more likely to experience fatigue, indigestion, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Men, on the other hand, experience classic symptoms such as sweat, radiating pains down the left arm and crushing chest pains.

In the case of a stroke, women experience changes in their vision, paralysis or weakness on one side, facial drooping, slurred speech and a sudden onset of a headache. Even if these symptoms quickly end, follow up with your doctor as soon as possible.

By the age of 40, it's important to talk to your doctor about your risks for heart disease.

However, whenever you experience a sudden change in your health, be sure to follow up with your doctor. For example, if you've been exercising without any problems and you begin to experience unexplained shortness of breath, report this change to your doctor.

There are many ways to take care of your heart and lessen your risks.

Stay active by exercising five times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. You can break up this time into shorter periods if that is helpful. Taking a brisk 10-minute walk, using the stairs instead of an elevator, parking your car farther away at work and even dancing can all add up toward that exercise goal. Remember, exercise is a good way to decrease your stress level while lowering your blood pressure.

Speaking of stress, find ways to manage it. Stress is a part of life, but it's how you deal with it that will affect your heart. Deep breathing, relaxation tapes and yoga are great stress relievers.

Nutrition is also very important for your heart. Your diet should be low in fat and sodium and high in fiber. Eat five or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables and opt for whole grains whenever possible.

Schedule an annual checkup with your regular family doctor, not just your OB/gyn. In addition to your annual mammogram, get a baseline score of your cholesterol and blood pressure once a year. Talk to your doctor to see when you might need a heart scan (calcium based-scoring) or EKG.

Finally, be a good role model for your daughters, sisters and other women.

Lead a healthy lifestyle by focusing on nutrition and exercise, as opposed to "dieting." This shows that you care about your body and your health, not just about your body image.

Report symptoms and take action to change your risks. By discussing your risks with other women in your life, you are helping them to become more aware of their own risks. Participate in screenings together and attend health fairs to get current information and health tips.

Remember, when you schedule an appointment for a mammogram, don't stop there. For your heart's sake, get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked every year. Heart disease is no longer just a man's disease. It is the biggest health issue for women right now.

Julie Losasso, RN, BSN, manager of education and prevention at Edward Heart Hospital, contributed to this article in cooperation with Edward Hospital.