WEARING OUR HEARTS ON OUR SLEEVES
Hello everyone and welcome to another February. This is the month when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and our thoughts gravitate toward matters of the heart, including romance and love.
Yet, when we’re discussing such matters of the heart, it’s also important to remember that February is American Heart Health Month. So, as we focus on the happiness of our hearts, this month we need to focus on the health of our hearts as well.
In fact, 2022 marks the 58th consecutive year the American Heart Association has strived to bring the issue of heart health to everyone, and especially to women everywhere.
You see, heart disease is the number one health risk for women. It’s more lethal than all women’s cancers put together, including breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. Indeed, 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 women have at least one risk factor for developing heart disease.
For these reasons, Heart Health Month is extremely important to all of us at Fleischer Studios where each year I co-host this annual message with our beloved Betty Boop. Betty may be an animated character, but she is never more serious than when addressing issues that involve justice, women’s rights, and important social topics. She is a champion of women’s health care, and taking a stand against heart disease and protecting the health of women everywhere is a cause that Betty holds very near and dear to her heart.
We have to recognize that when it comes to heart disease, we women have our work cut out for us. It’s very typical that when women face this disease, they are typically under-treated and under-served compared to their male counterparts. In fact, it’s not uncommon at all for women suffering symptoms associated with heart disease and seeking help, to be sent home from the hospital only to find out later that they actually suffered a heart attack.
Accordingly, it’s time for us to join forces with Betty Boop and the American Heart Association to help raise our awareness of heart disease by reviewing some vital information, beginning with 5 risk factors of which we all need to be aware.
FAMILY HISTORY
Heredity plays an important role in the development of many diseases and heart disease is one of them. If this disease runs in one’s family, the risk for developing the disease increases.
SMOKING
Tobacco use in all its forms, is linked to many diseases, including cardiovascular and heart disease.
OBESITY
For women, being overweight and having excess weight around the abdomen in particular increase the risk for heart disease.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & CHOLESTEROL
Both of these conditions can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
DIABETES
This pre-existing medical condition increases the risk for heart disease in both women and men, but more so in women.
And what if we have some of these risk factors? What are the symptoms we should be aware of and look for? Here are 5 of the most common.
PAIN
This symptom, of course, tops the list. Any unexplained pain or pressure in the chest, arms, neck, shoulders or upper back could indicate a coronary problem.
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT
Similarly, discomfort and flu-like symptoms, including stomach pain, heartburn, or unexplained nausea and vomiting could be signs of a heart attack or stroke.
UNUSUAL FATIGUE & SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Many women having a heart attack will feel very tired or short of breath even if they have been sitting quietly and have not been physically active.
DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS
When these symptoms occur without explanation, they also could be signs of coronary distress. And remember, they can occur at any time, even while sitting quietly or resting.
SWEATING
Not having anything to do with physical exertion, this symptom is characterized by a nervous, cold sweat that may appear to be stress-related.
And most important of all, here are 5 simple ways in which we can protect ourselves from heart disease.
- AVOID SMOKING
- LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE
- EXERCISE
- MANAGE WEIGHT
- EAT WELL
We’ve all heard the adage, “Everything in moderation.” And that’s true here as well. It’s not really that difficult, Ladies. As Betty and the American Heart Association remind us every year, a little common sense and a bit of basic medical know-how will go a long way in helping us reach our goals of improving our health and protecting our hearts.
In closing, I send my thanks to the American Heart Association for their tireless efforts to educate and inform all of us about heart disease in its many forms. And many thanks as well to Betty Boop and our team at Fleischer Studios for joining forces once again in delivering this important message to women everywhere.
And of course, a big HEART-FELT thanks to all of you! We wish you all a wonderful February filled with flowers, fun, love and most of all, happy, healthy hearts.
Until next time everyone, stay safe, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
Leave a Comment