Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more women than the next five causes of death combined, including all types of cancer combined. The most common cardiovasculardiseases are heart disease and stroke, and the good news is that 80 percent of all cardiovascular disease is preventable. The first step to prevention is educating yourself about these serious healththreats and taking the necessary steps to reduce your risk.

W h o i S at r i S k ?
You are at risk for developing or having cardiovascular disease if you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure,if you smoke, are overweight or physically inactive, or have diabetes personally or in your immediate family. Chronic feelings of stress, excessive use of alcohol or illegal drugs, and the use of birthcontrol pills can also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. Regular visits to your doctor in order to monitor your risk are an important factor in preventing and managing this disease. Knowyour numbers: FACTOR Total Cholesterol LDL (“Bad”) Cholesterol HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol Triglycerides Blood Pressure Fasting Glucose Body Mass Index (BMI) Waist Circumference Exercise GOAL < 200mg/dL < 100 mg/dL > 50 mg/dL < 150 mg/dL < 120/80 mmHg < 100 mg/dL < 25 Kg/m2 < 35 inches Minimum of 30 minutes most days, if not all days of the week

S y m p to m S o f h e a rt at tac k a n D S t rok e
While symptoms of intense chest pain and pain extending into your arm and/or neck are well-known symptoms of heart attack in men, women often experience more subtle warning signs. These includeshortness of breath, back pain, jaw pain/aching, nausea, fatigue, indigestion and vomiting. Warning signs for stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one sideof the body), sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing, sudden trouble walking or dizziness, and sudden/severe headache with no known cause. If you suspect that you may be having...