Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
This February, the American Heart Association released its first set of guidelines written specifically to prevent female heart disease. The AHA defines heart disease as any abnormal condition of the heart.
The recommendations are similar to previously released guidelines aimed at both sexes, but place a stronger emphasis on prevention and issues directly related to women such as depression.
“In the past, you either had heart disease or you did not have it,” said Kara Still, senior regional director of the AHA. “Now, we advocate that every woman is at some level of risk: low, medium or high. There are behaviors that even young women can follow to increase or decrease their risk levels of developing heart disease.”
There are many risk factors that could affect an individualís heart health.
“Generally, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol use, a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the biggest things to avoid,” said Autumn Douglas, R.D. at the LSU Wellness Education Center.
Some behaviors could be more harmful than others.
“Smoking is the biggest risk factor because it increases your chances of developing heart disease by fifty percent,” Still said.
Physical inactivity is also damaging to heart health, said Douglas.
“Try to exercise thirty minutes on most days,” Douglas said. “If someone finds it difficult to fit exercise in their schedule, they should try to incorporate physical activity into their social calendars. Things like bowling, dancing, throwing a Frisbee or playing racquetball are both fun and physical.”
The foods you eat could affect your heart.
“An unbalanced diet is harmful,” Still said. “Even someone eating only vegetables is hurting their body. Moderation in everything is the key.”
The popular high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet is generally not encouraged by the AHA.
“We advise anyone to consult with their doctor before they begin a diet,” said Still.
The AHA advocates that to lose weight and keep it off, a balanced diet and regular exercise is the most effective method.
The new AHA guidelines advise women to keep their Body Mass Index below 25.
“BMI is a complicated formula used to gauge the level of general body fat,” said Douglas. “To calculate your BMI, try going to the Web site for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi.
Alcohol use could be a damaging factor to the heart.
“Drink alcohol in moderation, no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks for men,” Douglas said.
A drink is a 12-ounce beer, a four-ounce glass of wine or a shot of liquor, said Still.
Depression is also emphasized in the AHA heart health guidelines.
Depression affects women more than men and it can increase heart defects, said Still.
“To stay mentally healthy, use proper coping mechanisms from stress relief such as exercising, listening to music, time management and proper nutrition,” Douglas said. “The LSU Mental Health Services is there for students if they need it.”
Young women need to make healthy choices today, said Still.
“Heart disease is not something you get overnight,” Still said. “What you do, especially as college students, will affect you in your thirties, forties and as you get older. Because it is developed over time, people do not worry about the smoking, drinking or poor eating habits that they are developing now.”
For more information on heart disease, contact the AHA’s Go Red for Women initiative by calling
1-888-MYHEART. All callers
will receive a heart disease brochure, wallet card and red dress pin.