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Feb 01 |
National Wear Red Day |
Posted by Scott filed under Healthcare Observance
February 1st is National Wear Red Day. National Wear Red Day is a day in which everyone, both men and women, wear red to raise awareness for women’s heart disease. Heart disease and stroke are among the leading killers for women in the United States. On this day, everyone is encouraged to wear something red to show their support. You can also donate to heart research, and women of all walks of life are encouraged to educate themselves on heart disease and stroke. Symptoms of heart attacks or heart disease can be different for men and women, which is why it is important for women to learn to recognize the signs in themselves.
Heart Attacks in Women
Heart attacks in women can have different signs that those suffered by men. One of the most common symptoms is extreme pain in the chest and shoulders. However, some women have suffered heart attacks that had very little or even no chest pain. Other symptoms include:
- Discomfort in the abdomen, neck, jaw, or shoulders
- Pain in arms
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms are not as obvious as sudden, extreme chest pain, which is why they are often ignored or mistaken for milder problems. They can occur while a woman is resting, or even while asleep.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Women
Certain Factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure affect both men and women when it comes to heart disease. However, there are some that may affect women more than men, or some that only affect women, such as:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- A family history of heart disease
- Mental stress/depression
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Menopause
- Complications with pregnancy
Keeping the Heart Healthy
There are certain behaviors or lifestyle changes that can be undergone to help lower a woman’s risk of heart disease and heart attack. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting 30-60 minutes five days a week of moderate to rigorous physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Quitting smoking. Quitting can lower your risk for coronary heart disease, and it will have a variety of other health benefits. Look here for advice on how to quit
What You Can Do
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States. A serious problem like this is scary, and can make you feel powerless, but there is something you can do to help. To donate to the American Heart Association, visit their site.
References
Go Red for Women. “Go Red for Women.” Retrieved from: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en
American Lung Association. (2018). “How to Quit Smoking.” Retrieved from: https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/i-want-to-quit/how-to-quit-smoking.html
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Heart Disease in Women.” Retrieved from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-disease-women
American Heart Association. (2015). “Heart Attack Symptoms in Women.” Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women
Mayo Clinic. (2018). “Heart Disease in Women: Understand Symptoms and Risk Factors.” Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167