Study after study show that heart attacks and heart disease are grossly under-diagnosed in women and the explanation always appears to be that they did not have any symptoms. Women, who've had heart attacks, realize now, looking back, that they did have symptoms and just did not realize it. Why? Women's heart attack symptoms are much different to men's and they're slow to realize what is happening before calling a doctor.
Many of us believe that a heart attack comes out of nowhere and it happens in a way: the victim clutches the chest area, appears to be in pain and collapses to the floor. But for women, it does not happen that way at all.
Overwhelming fatigue-this usually occurs months prior to a heart attack and the fatigue is so large that it interferes with normal schedules for a couple of days at a time.
and if we expand from there..
How can you protect yourself? If you notice unusual things happening in your body and you're here don't feel 'quite right ', then it is time to go see your doctor right away. Mention any risk factors such as heart disease in your family, cholesterol, or high blood pressure, or if you smoke, and take steps now to reduce your risk.
There are various positive factors that help offset risk factors. High levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol are very beneficial in preventing heart disease or at least offsetting risk factors. The Framingham study and others have proposed that for each single point increase in HDL, there's a corresponding drop in your risk of having a heart attack of 2 per cent-3%. Some of us are just plain lucky and are born with high HDL. Others aren't so fortunate and struggle to raise their HDL and even with excessive physical activity are helpless to raise it. HDL below 40 is considered a risk factor. HDL of over 60 is considered a positive element for heart disease. Total cholesterol readings aren't the best barometer of cardiovascular disease risk. Even though high HDL levels and low LDL levels are no guarantee, your risk factors are most assuredly reduced with high HDL and further reduced with low LDL levels. Overall or total high cholesterol levels are less accurate as a predictor but most often a high total cholesterol reading is due to high LDL.Really?.
Be good to your heart by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, fish, garlic, avocadoes, nuts and use olive oil in dressings and marinades. Of course, do whatever you can to de-stress yourself every day by meditating, doing Yoga and taking time out for yourself.
Many of us believe that a heart attack comes out of nowhere and it happens in a way: the victim clutches the chest area, appears to be in pain and collapses to the floor. But for women, it does not happen that way at all.
Overwhelming fatigue-this usually occurs months prior to a heart attack and the fatigue is so large that it interferes with normal schedules for a couple of days at a time.
and if we expand from there..
How can you protect yourself? If you notice unusual things happening in your body and you're here don't feel 'quite right ', then it is time to go see your doctor right away. Mention any risk factors such as heart disease in your family, cholesterol, or high blood pressure, or if you smoke, and take steps now to reduce your risk.
There are various positive factors that help offset risk factors. High levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol are very beneficial in preventing heart disease or at least offsetting risk factors. The Framingham study and others have proposed that for each single point increase in HDL, there's a corresponding drop in your risk of having a heart attack of 2 per cent-3%. Some of us are just plain lucky and are born with high HDL. Others aren't so fortunate and struggle to raise their HDL and even with excessive physical activity are helpless to raise it. HDL below 40 is considered a risk factor. HDL of over 60 is considered a positive element for heart disease. Total cholesterol readings aren't the best barometer of cardiovascular disease risk. Even though high HDL levels and low LDL levels are no guarantee, your risk factors are most assuredly reduced with high HDL and further reduced with low LDL levels. Overall or total high cholesterol levels are less accurate as a predictor but most often a high total cholesterol reading is due to high LDL.Really?.
Be good to your heart by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, fish, garlic, avocadoes, nuts and use olive oil in dressings and marinades. Of course, do whatever you can to de-stress yourself every day by meditating, doing Yoga and taking time out for yourself.