Five easy tips to keep a woman's heart healthy

Los Angeles, February 8: A number of studies indicate that most women in the world die because of one or the other heart problem. Heart disease is the leading killer disease that takes the life of millions of women. But there are a few ways that can lessen the risk of heart disease in women, experts said.

Noel Bairey Merz, MD, Women's Health Program at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiacdefine Center in Los Angeles, said, “Death rates from heart disease and stroke aren't falling for young women. And sometimes, ignorance about women's heart attacks reaches amazing extremes. In one recent study, even women with recognized heart attacks were less likely to be cared for by cardiologists in the emergency room."

Experts have pointed out five steps for women to achieve a heart healthy lifestyle:

1. Women must schedule their yearly checkup. It will keep them updated about the health changes they go through at different phases of their lives. In case they develop any deadly disease, they will get to know about it at an initial stage only. Most diseases are curable in primary stages. Regular tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels are important aspects of yearly check-up.

2. Maintaining a healthy body weight is very crucial. Keeping a check on waist circumference is a key to good health, which implies fit body from inside out. It increases longevity. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes.

Following a low calorie diet chart reduces the risk of heart problems. Healthy diet includes lots of fruits, nuts and raw veggies. Keeping unhealthy food out of sight really works. Women can keep their refrigerators stuffed with healthy food. Slowly, eating healthy foods becomes a habit.

Do away with salt. It will help maintaining a low blood pressure. Salt quantity in a food item may be camouflaged as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium caseinate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium citrate. Do check the salt quantity before choosing a food item.

3. If a woman shuns smoking she can reduce her risk of getting a heart attack or bypass surgery by 80 percent. A check for coronary calcium is also required. Following a personalized plan prepared by an expert can greatly benefit women.

4. Relaxing mind and body by regular workouts (jogging, walking, and exercising) can keep women healthy. 15 to 30 minutes work out a day can do wonders for women of all age groups. Gradually, work out duration can be increased, say 5 minutes each week.

5. Women should be aware of early warning signs of a heart attack, which are often different from those exhibited by men. Symptoms along with LDL and HDL cholesterol numbers, triglyceride reading (it should be below 150 mg/dl) and blood sugar levels can give a clear picture of a woman’s heart health.

Awareness is of vital significance and it is time for women to get into action. A woman should love and protect her heart by maintaining a healthier lifestyle.