I haven’t been here much in the last several days. February is Heart Month and has kept me very busy. As a WomenHeart Champion Community Educator I have the privilege of bringing information to women about their heart health. I’ve been in several parts of the state spreading the word. It’s important for women to know what makes us different when it comes to taking care of our hearts and recognizing when we might need help.
Did you know?
- women are seven times more likely than men to be sent home from the hospital while having a heart attack
- one in three women will be affected by heart disease in their lifetimes
- heart disease is the number one killer of women in the US
- heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined
- 80% of heart disease is preventable
Women often present with different and less dramatic symptoms from men when experiencing a cardiac event. We may also articulate our symptoms in terms that may sound less serious than they actually are.
When I had my heart attack, it started as a burning sensation that originated in the middle of my chest and out to my arms. It eventually traveled to my lower jaw but initially I thought I had pulled a muscle. It didn’t hurt at all as much as I thought a heart attack would.
How does it feel?
Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed when having a cardiac event because our symptoms may overlap other issues. When we are having an event, the feeling may be:
- extreme fatigue
- stomach discomfort
- side pain
- pain in either arm
- neck pain
- migraine or lesser headache
- nausea/vomiting
- dizziness/lightheadedness
Because of the ambiguity of our symptoms, misdiagnosis of our situation may be:
- dehydration
- stomach virus
- stress
- anxiety
- migraine
Often our symptoms overlap the symptoms of other ailments. Because of this, we may also ignore the signs of a heart attack. Frequently, when a woman has a heart attack, she will report that she never had any prior symptoms. I would argue that those symptoms may have been there, but may not have been recognized as such.
Know your risk
If you are at risk for developing heart disease, there are steps you can take to mitigate your risk. Start now to live the best life you can live.
- follow a heart healthy diet
- manage stress
- maintain a healthy weight
- manage your critical numbers
- blood pressure
- blood sugar
- cholesterol
- be a partner in your healthcare
Understanding your risk profile for developing a serious cardiac issue and taking charge of your own health is the most effective way to manage your cardiovascular health.
If you need help understanding what you should be doing to mitigate your risk of developing or worsening heart disease, feel free to sign up here for a free consultation. You have nothing to lose and your healthy lifestyle to gain.
My Story
Since June 2019, I decided to hold myself accountable for walking my talk.
Several years ago, I was able to take off 135 pounds and essentially save my own life. I regained some of that weight in the last couple of years and I’m working my way back down. I’ve lost over 40 pounds since I began in June and have exercised nearly every day since August.
If you choose to join me on this journey, I’ll provide some nutritional and lifestyle wisdom. Even though I may have gone off the rails temporarily I can still share some of my first hand experience as well as my acquired knowledge and training to help you make the right changes to live your best life.
Do You Want Help?
Would you like to have more energy, lose weight, sleep better, and balance your hormones? I am launching another 5 week Sugar Detox Program beginning in April.
This program is open to anyone who:
- would like to get control of their sugar cravings
- feel better
- have an abundance of energy
- and an overall increase in well-being.
Aren’t you tired of feeling bloated and lethargic?
If you continue to follow the path you’re on, where will it lead you in six months? a year? Isn’t it time to take a different approach?
What you have done in the past hasn’t worked or at least has not stuck. I can help you change that. Click here for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your challenges and your goals for the coming year and see if we’re a good fit. You have nothing to lose except those nasty cravings.
My clients are mostly women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life.
If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.
