A Woman's Heart

What Every Woman Should Know about Heart Attack

February is all about hearts! This month not only the American Heart Association's Go Red Month for heart disease awareness, it is also Valentine's Day, too.  It won't come as a surprise to say that men and women are different. But, it may surprise you to learn that mean and women may experience heart attacks differently, too. We are all familiar with the classic picture of a man clutching his chest in pain which immediately alerts us to the possibility of a heart attack. However, this may not happen in women, and instead women may experience other symptoms not quickly associated with heart attacks, such as:

• Pain in the arm(s), back, neck, or jaw 
• Stomach pain 
• Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness 
• Sweating 
• Fatigue

While these symptoms may not be a heart attack by themselves, do not take a chance if you feel something isn't right. 

According to the CDC, women are "more likely to describe chest pain that is sharp, burning and more frequently have pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen or back."

Statistics

You are not alone when it comes to cardiovascular diseases and stroke. According to the Go Red for Women website, 1 in 3 women's deaths are from heart disease and stroke, killing 1 women every 80 seconds!

* approximately 44 million women in the US are affected

* 90% of women have 1 or more risk factors

* 80% of heart disease and stroke events might be prevented by lifestyle changes

Learn more at www.goredforwomen.org

Are you at risk?

If you are Hispanic, you are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than their Caucasian counterparts and it is the leading cause of death for Hispanic women. Sadly, only 34% are even aware that heart disease is their biggest health risk. 1 in 8 women report their doctor has brought up their risk.

African-American women also have increased risk, killing over 48,000 annually. 48.3% of African-American women ages 20 and older have cardiovascular disease yet only 14% believe it is a big health problem risk. Worse, only 50% of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack!

Chocolate

Now for some good news just in time for Valentines Day: chocolate may not be so bad for you after all!

Chocolate benefits may include:

* lowering cholesterol levels

* preventing cognitive decline

* reducing risk of cardiovascular issues

Keep in mind the key word is "may"--more studies need to be done to prove the health benefits of chocolate conclusively. So, don't despair if you get some chocolate for Valentines Day, researchers suggest that "consuming a small amount of chocolate every day could lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease." Take care of your health, heart and most of all be aware of what your body may be telling you--it could save your life!

www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/womens-heart-attack-symptoms
www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fs_women_heart.htm
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272.php#health_benefits_chocolate

Brain Attack!

May is Stroke Awareness Month!



      Did you know that a stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack"? It occurs when blood flow to an area in your brain is cut off.  When this happens, brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, and die. If a stroke is not caught early, permanent brain damage or even death can result. Stroke is the #5 cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the USA.

     Treatment targets factors that put you at risk, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.  Still, it takes more than that to prevent a stroke. You also have an important role to play in preventing stroke, too! Why? Because only you can make lifestyle changes to help lower your risk.

      So, what are some things you can do? Try to follow the Life's Simple 7 tips from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association:

1) Manage and control blood pressure: Lowering your systolic blood pressure (bp) number (top) by 10 or your diastolic number (bottom) by 5 can cut your risk of stroke death by half

2) Control cholesterol: By controlling your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries a chance to remain clear of blockages

3) Reduce blood sugar: High levels of blood sugar over time can lead to diabetes, which increases your risk for having a stroke

4) Get active! Increase walking time has been associated with reduced stroke risk. 30 minutes a day, 5xs a week is an easy goal to improve your heart and brain health, plus it helps to prevent stroke

5) Eat better: A healthy diet is one of your best weapons for fighting stroke! Adding more fruits and vegetables into your diet, and reducing sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day is a great start towards healthier eating

6) Lose weight: Nearly 70% of American adults are overweight or obese! Obesity increases your risk for stroke so losing weight can help lower your blood pressure and reduce the burden on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and bones

7) Stop smoking: If you smoke, your risk for stroke is 2-4xs higher  than for nonsmokers or even those who have quit for more than 10 years!

See how much you know about stroke by taking our Medical Library's health literacy quiz, now available in both English and Spanish versions:
http://www.trinitasrmc.org/library_health_literacy.htm
http://www.trinitasrmc.org/library_health_literacy_spanish.htm

It is important to know the common symptoms of stroke so you recognize what may be happening to yourself,  your loved ones or others.

Stroke heroes act FAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxsdrhu7T0



If you are located in N.J. and your community or organization would like to learn more about stroke, please contact:
Terry Finamore RN BSN MS
Stroke Coordinator
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth, N.J.
908 994 8787 (phone)

Many thanks to Terry Finamore who helped with this post.