WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH MONTH
Hello everyone and welcome!
February is upon us once again and once again we’re honoring Women’s Heart Health Month. Of course, most of you know that for this annual blog our dear Betty Boop visits from Fleischer Studios where my hubby, Mark Fleischer, is the President and CEO. Yet this year I’m so excited to report that awesome designer Betsey Johnson also has teamed up with Betty this month to help bring heart health awareness to women everywhere.
Talk about a dynamic duo! Betty and Betsey have been painting the town red – literally! This month they lit the Empire State Building up in pink, white and Betty Boop Red lights. They walked the red carpet together at the 17th annual Red Dress Awards with our friends at Woman’s Day magazine. They joined forces to produce a fabulous Betsey Johnson designer tee shirt which is being sold at Betty’s online store at BettyBoopStore.com with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Katz Institute for Women’s Health. And they will continue all month long with their efforts to raise awareness for women’s heart health!
This is so important because heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in America. It’s more lethal than all cancers put together, including breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. In fact, while 1 in 13 women will die of breast cancer, 1 in every 3 will die of cardiovascular disease. And more than ninety percent of us have at least one risk factor for the disease.
Moreover, not only is our risk for heart disease incredibly high, but when it comes to this disease women are under-treated and under-served compared to their male counterparts. In fact, women with complaints are often sent home from the hospital only to find out later that they actually suffered a heart attack. So now you and I are going to join Betty and Betsey in raising our own awareness of heart disease.
And we begin with 5 major risk factors of which we all need to be aware.
SMOKING
Tobacco use in all its forms, is linked to many diseases, including cardiovascular and heart disease.
FAMILY HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE
Heredity plays an important role in the development of many diseases and heart disease is one of them.
OBESITY
For women, being overweight and having excess weight around the abdomen in particular increase the risk for heart disease.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Both of these conditions can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
DIABETES
This medical condition increases the risk for heart disease in both women and men, but more so in women.
So now that we know the risks, let’s examine 5 important symptoms of heart disease.
FATIGUE OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Many women having a heart attack will feel very tired and short of breath even if they have not been active or have been sitting for a while.
SWEATING
This is characterized by a nervous, cold sweat that appears to be stress-related.
DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS
Once again, one or both may occur even when sitting or resting.
PAIN IN THE ABDOMEN OR UPPER TORSO
This may present as heartburn, a stomach ache, chest pressure or a slight pain in either arm, the neck, shoulders or upper back.
NAUSEA OR VOMITING
While this may be related to abdominal discomfort, it also may occur without warning.
Being aware of these 5 risks and 5 symptoms will go a long way in protecting all of us from heart disease. We simply need to educate ourselves and take a proactive approach to our personal health care.
Remember, combining just a little medical know-how with a little common sense can protect our hearts, improve our health and ensure we live long, happy and productive lives.
We’ll continue our discussion of heart health over the next few weeks. Yet for now, I want to thank our beloved Betty Boop for joining me today. I want to thank the amazing Betsey Johnson for her commitment to raising awareness for women’s heart health and for the courage she’s shown in her own battle with the disease. And I want to thank the American Heart Association for their tireless efforts in fighting this disease in all its many forms.
Most of all dear friends, I send a heartfelt thanks to YOU for being here with me once again. Until next time everyone, stay in GOOD HEALTH, be kind to your HEARTS, and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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