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heal thylivil1g By 1lt1 isten FillSIID

whatyourheart isnJttellingyou IT MAY BE SUFFERING IN SILENCE LEARN WHAT

YOU CAN DO TO HEAD OFF HEART DISEASE For some women a heart attack is the first symptom that they have heart disease says N ieca Goldberg 1v1D Dr Goldberg medical director of New York Universitys Nomens Heart P rogram ltU1d allthor of Dr Nieca GoldbergS complete Guide to Nomel1s Health (Ballantine Books 2008 $27) explains how that happens A fatty substance called plaque accumulates in the arteries until theres a ncar complete blockage of blood flow or unstable plaque bursts open and brings on a heart attack Your only warnings might have been shortness of breath fatigue or chest tightness accompanying exertion- signs many women routinely dismiss

This is heart disease otherwise known as atherosclerosis or hardellLng of the arteries

N ew research is finding that being overweight may not be the risk factor for heart disease its been believed to be Recent studies suggest its more important where fat resides in the body Fat around the heart or in between muscles is quite

and 60 to 90 minutes to lose weight or maintain a weight drop And make a pleasant regul ar habit of phYSical activity

Turn on your favorite TV show or enjoy a novel while walking on the treadmill suggests Mary Ann Ballman MD a spokes person for the Go Red for Women program of the American Heart Association (AHA) and medical director of Womens H ealth and Community Relations at Integris IIealth Inc in O klahoma City Oklahoma But whatever workout YOll choose consistency is critical

Dr Bauman also suggests a diet rich in whole grains fruits and vegetables Limit red meat choosing turkey and fish instead At the grocelY store look for packages bearing the A I-I As whiteshycheck-on-red-heart icon This indicates that a food meets criteria for heart-healthy levels of fat saturated fat and cholesterol And

tlY dining out less often passing up the takeshyhome bag of leftovers Restaurant meals

are usually high in fat sugar and salt different from fat beneath the skin says Dr Bauman But don t feel as if says lead researcher Jingzhong Ding New research is eating for heart health means never MD of Nake Forest University veering off course Deprivation Baptist Medical Cente r in Winstonshy never works she says So have two f inding that body Salem North Carolina The upshot Oreo cookies-not the whole bagmass may not beA high body mass index (BMI) may not be as dangerous as having extra the risk factor for PAY ATfENTION fat around your heart The tricky part WOME S WARNING is that fat clustered aroLind internal heart disease IC S ARE UN to E organs can only be detected with CT scans Heart disease is the No I killer of or similar tests Right now those tests arent women yet a heart attack isnt always that its been routinely used to measure this fat but if Dr easy for women to recognize Compared tobelievedDings research is confirmed that could change men women are less likely to have crushing chest

pain and more likely to have non-chest symptoms to beHEADI NG Off II EART DIS[ASE

Without symptoms to clue you in hows a woman to head off heart diseasegt Dr Goldberg suggests regular doctor visits at which your blood pressure cholesterol and glucose are checked And keep tabs on risk factors such as family history high blood pressure high cholesterol diabetes smoking age and sedentary lifestyle

Simple tveaks to both your physical activity and your eating habits also can minimize plaque buildup and boost heart health

Donette Smith of Huntsville Alabama made several changes after her atherosclerosis diagnosis A heart-healthy lifestyle is now a top priority This Valentines Day she and her husband Tom will indulge in a bike ride or evening walk instead of a gooey dessert I watch my fat intake and avoid fast food she says She also pencils in time every day for favorite ac tivities I walk bike and golf for exercise- -because theyre fun she adds

As you address your activities remember that evelY little bit counts- even swapping lunch at your desk for a midday walk Ultimately the American Heart Association recommends you log at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity 011 most days

44 FigureMagazinecom

Minutes count when youre having a heart attack so it pays to know all the warning signs including some that

might surprise you bull Chest discomfort which might feel like pressure squeezing

fullness or pain bull Other discomfort or pain in your jaw back stomach neck or

one or both arms bull Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort bull Other symptoms such as nausea vomiting lightheadedness or

a cold sweat If youre having chest discomfort especially with one or

more other symptoms wait no longer than five minutes before calling 9II

For other health signs tlutt indicate your risk for heart disease view F igureMagazinecomjheart bull

For more heart-friendly tips and inspiration sign up for the American Heart Associations free healthy living program at GoRedforWomen org

heal thylivil1g By 1lt1 isten FillSIID

whatyourheart isnJttellingyou IT MAY BE SUFFERING IN SILENCE LEARN WHAT

YOU CAN DO TO HEAD OFF HEART DISEASE For some women a heart attack is the first symptom that they have heart disease says N ieca Goldberg 1v1D Dr Goldberg medical director of New York Universitys Nomens Heart P rogram ltU1d allthor of Dr Nieca GoldbergS complete Guide to Nomel1s Health (Ballantine Books 2008 $27) explains how that happens A fatty substance called plaque accumulates in the arteries until theres a ncar complete blockage of blood flow or unstable plaque bursts open and brings on a heart attack Your only warnings might have been shortness of breath fatigue or chest tightness accompanying exertion- signs many women routinely dismiss

This is heart disease otherwise known as atherosclerosis or hardellLng of the arteries

N ew research is finding that being overweight may not be the risk factor for heart disease its been believed to be Recent studies suggest its more important where fat resides in the body Fat around the heart or in between muscles is quite

and 60 to 90 minutes to lose weight or maintain a weight drop And make a pleasant regul ar habit of phYSical activity

Turn on your favorite TV show or enjoy a novel while walking on the treadmill suggests Mary Ann Ballman MD a spokes person for the Go Red for Women program of the American Heart Association (AHA) and medical director of Womens H ealth and Community Relations at Integris IIealth Inc in O klahoma City Oklahoma But whatever workout YOll choose consistency is critical

Dr Bauman also suggests a diet rich in whole grains fruits and vegetables Limit red meat choosing turkey and fish instead At the grocelY store look for packages bearing the A I-I As whiteshycheck-on-red-heart icon This indicates that a food meets criteria for heart-healthy levels of fat saturated fat and cholesterol And

tlY dining out less often passing up the takeshyhome bag of leftovers Restaurant meals

are usually high in fat sugar and salt different from fat beneath the skin says Dr Bauman But don t feel as if says lead researcher Jingzhong Ding New research is eating for heart health means never MD of Nake Forest University veering off course Deprivation Baptist Medical Cente r in Winstonshy never works she says So have two f inding that body Salem North Carolina The upshot Oreo cookies-not the whole bagmass may not beA high body mass index (BMI) may not be as dangerous as having extra the risk factor for PAY ATfENTION fat around your heart The tricky part WOME S WARNING is that fat clustered aroLind internal heart disease IC S ARE UN to E organs can only be detected with CT scans Heart disease is the No I killer of or similar tests Right now those tests arent women yet a heart attack isnt always that its been routinely used to measure this fat but if Dr easy for women to recognize Compared tobelievedDings research is confirmed that could change men women are less likely to have crushing chest

pain and more likely to have non-chest symptoms to beHEADI NG Off II EART DIS[ASE

Without symptoms to clue you in hows a woman to head off heart diseasegt Dr Goldberg suggests regular doctor visits at which your blood pressure cholesterol and glucose are checked And keep tabs on risk factors such as family history high blood pressure high cholesterol diabetes smoking age and sedentary lifestyle

Simple tveaks to both your physical activity and your eating habits also can minimize plaque buildup and boost heart health

Donette Smith of Huntsville Alabama made several changes after her atherosclerosis diagnosis A heart-healthy lifestyle is now a top priority This Valentines Day she and her husband Tom will indulge in a bike ride or evening walk instead of a gooey dessert I watch my fat intake and avoid fast food she says She also pencils in time every day for favorite ac tivities I walk bike and golf for exercise- -because theyre fun she adds

As you address your activities remember that evelY little bit counts- even swapping lunch at your desk for a midday walk Ultimately the American Heart Association recommends you log at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity 011 most days

44 FigureMagazinecom

Minutes count when youre having a heart attack so it pays to know all the warning signs including some that

might surprise you bull Chest discomfort which might feel like pressure squeezing

fullness or pain bull Other discomfort or pain in your jaw back stomach neck or

one or both arms bull Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort bull Other symptoms such as nausea vomiting lightheadedness or

a cold sweat If youre having chest discomfort especially with one or

more other symptoms wait no longer than five minutes before calling 9II

For other health signs tlutt indicate your risk for heart disease view F igureMagazinecomjheart bull

For more heart-friendly tips and inspiration sign up for the American Heart Associations free healthy living program at GoRedforWomen org