February is American Heart Month and here are some facts every woman should know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of deaths in American adults is heart disease, at almost 700,000 deaths per year. Almost half of these deaths are in women. In the past, heart disease has often been thought of as a man’s disease but almost as many women as men die each year.

What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a term used to describe a host of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease is mostly caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This type of heart disease affects the blood flow to the heart which overtime can cause serious, irreversible damage like a heart attack, heart failure or stroke.

While it is worth mentioning that many times heart disease may be “silent” and not identified until a person experiences signs and symptoms of a heart attack or heart failure, there are many ways to prevent serious injury or death.

The first prevention would be to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease.

What are some signs and symptoms of Heart Disease?
You may experience these symptoms while you are resting or when you are doing regular daily activities:

• Angina (dull and heavy or sharp chest pain or discomfort)
• Pain in the neck, jaw, or throat
• Pain in the upper abdomen or back
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Another effective means of prevention would be to manage one’s stress, cholesterol and blood pressure– these are all risk factors for heart disease. According to the CDC, about half of the people in the United States (47%) have at least one of the risk factors. Of course, there are several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices that can place people at risk for heart disease such as being overweight, physical inactivity, diabetes, smoking and excessive alcohol use.

This February you can observe American Heart Month by reducing your risks. Know your blood pressure, quit smoking, limit your alcohol use, manage your stress levels and make healthy food choices!

References:
https://www.morelandobgyn.com/blog/heart-health-month#:~:text=February%20is%20American%20Heart%20Month,your%20heart)%20in%20great%20shape
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm

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Lorraine Arkaifie, MSN, AGPCNP-BC

Founder & Director of Services at Adult Alternative Home Care

After completing nursing school in 2009, she worked as a Registered Nurse with the elderly in nursing homes, hospitals and in their homes. She went on to complete advance nurse training with a focus in Geriatrics. As she gained more clinical experience, she was encouraged to pursue her dreams of establishing a home care organization that will provide excellent services to members of her community. With over ten years clinical knowledge, she has perfected the skills to establish rapport and support of the frail and elderly we serve. She loves what she does and will love to help you or your loved ones get the care and support they need.

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