American Heart Health Month

Happy Morselicious Monday!

What did you think of the OSCARS?  Did you watch? Let’s dish:  I LOOOVE the gowns! There, I said it…I’m vain! 

Today’s post was written by the incredible Karen Whittier of Embrace Activism in honor of National Heart Health Month.  Thanks a million morsels, Karen!

February is National Heart Disease and Stroke Month.

It’s important for women, in particular, to be aware of their risks and what they can do to minimize those risks.

Did you know?

1. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. The risk for heart disease in both women and men is related to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

There are some risks that are more pronounced in women, such as:

1. Metabolic syndrome
Your shape matters. Fat distributed around the midsection plus high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high triglycerides equal metabolic syndrome. Pre-diabetes commonly associates with metabolic syndrome. Individuals with diabetes suffer from heart disease (or stroke) more than twice that of non-diabetics.

2. Mental health
Depression affects women more than men. It makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, potentially increasing your risk of heart disease. Another emotion-related condition is broken heart syndrome. Broken heart syndrome, an apt name, describes a condition of heart muscle failure that results from extreme emotional stress.

3. Hormone levels
Estrogen can have a protective aspect for women, with no family history of heart disease, lowering their risk of heart attack pre-menopause. After menopause though, the risk is roughly equal to men.

4. Heart attack symptoms are different for women
The main symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. However, that’s not always the case, especially for women. It’s important women recognize these symptoms from the Mayo Clinic:
*Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
*Shortness of breath
*Nausea or vomiting
*Sweating
*Lightheadedness or dizziness
*Unusual fatigue

2. The heart is a muscle—keep it strong and healthy!
1. Exercise
A muscle must be exercised to stay healthy and functioning properly. Work up to 30 minutes per day of aerobic activity.

2. Reduce stress
Stress is toxic. Yoga is an effective method for reducing stress. Yoga gives women an avenue to lower the effects of stress; one that doesn’t involve medication. In fact, incorporating a healthy lifestyle with a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, abstaining from tobacco and including only moderate levels of alcohol could reduce the number of medications needed.

Recently there was an article on how yoga helps the heart specifically for individuals with atrial fibrillation. If you find it hard to quiet the mind and relax, follow these 6 easy steps to meditate. It’s easier than you think! To me, meditation means immersion in the present…my favorite way to meditate? A moving meditation walking!

3. Don’t smoke

Cigarettes are the only products produced in the US that, when used as intended by the manufacturer, will lead to death. Yes, cigarettes contain tobacco, but are you aware of the hundreds of other additives? Smoking is deadly for women. The American Lung Association highlights the impact smoking has on women.

You depend on your heart to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, to deliver nutrient-rich blood to the body, don’t let your heart down. Live a heart-friendly lifestyle. Go Red for Women lists several strategies for keeping your heart healthy and strong so the beat(ing) goes on.

Health, Wellness & CURES!!
Karen

Karen Whittier, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) , Chief Activist and founder of Embrace Activism, is passionate about health and wellness.  Embrace Activism is the online source for yoga products with a CAUSE.  Health & eco-friendly as well as socially-conscious, Embrace Activism allows you to do MORE with your practice!  Her blog, On & Off the Mat, shares tips, suggestions, and articles on health and wellness topics.