Bridgeport Hospital’s Chief of Cardiology Dr. Stuart Zarich, with some colleagues, released a study in the journal Circulation detailing a “perception gap” between what women understand about heart disease and what they know about their own cardiovascular health risks, such as excess weight, smoking and medical history. “They were much better at identifying these same risk factors in their male partners and relatives,” says Dr. Zarich.
As we observe American Heart Month in February, more recent studies suggest that the perception gap still exists, says Dr. Zarich, bad news since heart disease remains the leading killer of women. “Women, as they age, catch up with men and even exceed them in the incidence of heart attacks and congestive heart failure, but having that message embraced remains a challenge.”
What can women do to improve their heart health? Start with diet, says Dr. Zarich. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association late last year says that as a nation, we’ve curbed consumption of heart-threatening trans fats but in general, consumption is still too high. “I think people are confused by nutrition information. We could make things simpler by talking about energy balance. The key is to attack the American way of portion size [and] avoid high carb, high fat foods like chips, candy, cakes and processed foods.” Also, “Exercise is key.” Strive for thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day. Don’t have the time? The American Heart Association says you can break up that exercise into ten or fifteen-minute segments.
What Women Should Know
A breakdown of some gender-specific warning signs of heart attacks according to the American Heart Association:
1. Uncomfortable pressure, tightness or “squeezing” in the chest’s center that lasts more than a few minutes, and can go away and return.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach, and shortness of breath.
3. Breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling nausea or lightheadedness.