Women's Heart Health Matters

Complete guide for a healthy heart.

- Harshit Tripathi

Heart health is as important an issue for women as it is for men. A disturbing fact highlighted by the Indian Heart Association states that women are less likely to get themselves checked, or follow any preventive measures or health plan. The myth was that women are protected from heart disease. However, today, women in India are rubbing shoulders with men in terms of heart disease incidences, and more so in the urban population.

The main reasons for this increased prevalence are added work stress, lack of adequate physical exercise, consumption of junk food, and a rise in smoking habit. On the bright side, as diagnostic facilities are getting better, more women are coming forward for health screening. Heart diseases in women result in various symptoms.

Chest pain is one major symptom of a heart attack, and in addition, women may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting feeling, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.

Some people manage to overhaul their exercise pattern, diet, and unhealthy habits with ease. This approach may take longer, but it could also motivate you to make some big changes.

Keep a Lid on Stress: The link between stress and our hearts is real. Feeling stressed can also lead to behaviors that increase heart disease risk, such as smoking, skipping exercise, and skipping out to our favorite fast-food joint.

Lifestyle Actions: Key lifestyle actions to lower triglyceride levels are:

• Lose excess weight

• Eat less sugar and other highly refined and processed carbohydrates, like white breads

• Eat more fish high in omega-3 fats

• Drink very little alcohol

• Exercise regularly