Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer.
That's a scary statistic.
There are several reasons this is true, and we women have got to educate ourselves and perhaps our doctors on this topic.
There are several reasons why this is true.
For one thing, most of us consider heart disease to be a man's illness.
In part, this is due to an important aspect of being female.
Women with working ovaries are less likely to have heart problems than men and women who are passed the age of childbearing.
This means that women are usually ten years older than the average male in developing the problem.
There is another reason, and it is even more important to understand.
Women don't usually have the same symptoms at onset that men do.
Chest pain is rare until a heart attack happens.
The symptoms in women include unusual fatigue, difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, anxiety and indigestion.
All of these can and do lead to misdiagnoses that are often fatal.
There are things you can do to protect yourself.
First, learn more about how heart disease affects us.
Your knowledge is your wealth and in this instance, it may save your life.
Second, take a good long look at your diet.
We live in a fast paced world and a lot of our food choices show that.
A bagel for breakfast, a burger for lunch and Hamburger Helper for dinner fills the stomach, but it can also fill the arteries with plaque.
A low fat, low cholesterol and low sodium diet is beneficial, and it isn't all that hard to accomplish.
It may take a little extra work, but not by much.
Third, get moving.
If you have to, you can even sneak exercise into your life.
One program I have used (successfully) in the past is called the 10,000 steps a day program.
Get an inexpensive step counter (I found mine in the sporting goods section of a local department store) and start walking.
If you don't have time to dedicate to this program, start by parking further away from where you're going.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Even walking the dog can be a good part of this program.
Fourth, what about supplements? There are some supplements you can take that could help protect your heart.
One of them is actually a food.
Oats can lower LDL cholesterol levels up to 30 points in just 30 days.
That's pretty good for a breakfast cereal.
Garlic and Omega-3 fatty acids may also be useful.
Garlic can help keep your blood pressure normal while Omega-3 can raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL.
Fifth (and last) talk to your doctor.
Tell the doctor about any family history of heart disease in both the men and women.
Discuss what exercise is appropriate for you and ask about the supplements above.
Make sure the doctor is up to date on women's heart issues.
Some are and some aren't.
If you notice any of the symptoms, call the doctor or 911.
They'd really rather have to tell you it's indigestion than have to tell your family you've died.