Heart disease is not just one “disease.” And there are many ways to keep your heart and vascular system healthy by managing your weight, exercising regularly, not smoking and monitoring your blood pressure, says Dr. Elsa- Grace Giardina, Director of the Women’s Health in Cardiology Center at Columbia Univ. Medical Center/Columbia Doctors.
Heart disease reamins the #1 killer of women. And many do not even know the signs of a heart attack or other conditions of the cardiovascular system, as in heart (cardio) and arteries & veins (vascular).
That’s right! It’s your entire ventricular system keeps your heart beating properly. Envision your body as a giant highway network filled with arteries and veins that pump blood to your heart. If one area is clogged, another can be impacted. Worse-case scenario: crash!
Infographic: American Heart Association
Recently I interviewed Dr. Giardina about different types of heart disease, risk reduction and caring for your heart. Dr Giardina explained the differences between “cardiac arrest,” “heart attack” and “heart failure,” new guidelines for hypertension and other heart conditions.
She also provided a list of the key heart-health tests every woman needs to have and at what age*. Do you know what they are?
- blood pressure (every doctor visit)
- blood sugar (start at age 20)
- lipid test (start at age 20)
- kidney function (start at age 20)
- electro-cardiogram: tests heart rhythm (start at age 40)
- eco-cardiogram: tests how well the heart relaxes and contracts (start at age 40)
*Always review your personal medical condition and family history of heart disease with your doctor to determine when you should start being tested and how often.
You can list to the show by clicking the iHeart.com link below.
Here are a few things Dr. Giardina shared:
14% of more of the U.S. population will be diagnosed with high blood pressure which can increase your risk for a heart attack, stroke or diabetes. It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly. not just during your annual doctor’s checkup.
Some things you can do to keep your blood pressure in-line:
- Maintain a healthy body weight. Even 5 pounds more can elevate your blood pressure
- Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system, alleviates stress and burns calories.
- Do not smoke. Or stop.
- Eat wholesome, fresh foods with a focus on more vegetables. Serve meat as a small side dish.
- Eat less salt, sodium-rich foods, processed sugary foods and saturated fats.
- Eat more heart-healthy foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), nuts and olive oil.
- Eat more fiber-rich foods: nuts, beans, flaxseed, whole grains
- Red wine (one small glass a day) has resveratrol, a plant-based phenol, which is good for your heart!
For more information on heart-health visit the American Heart Association website www.heart.org
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