Friday, February 06, 2009

Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear - It's the #1 Killer of Women

Did you know that more women die of heart disease than men? It's true. Today is National Wear Red Day. It's a day to wear red and raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country.

So what can we do about it?? Well, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends the following:

Ten Commandments for a Healthy Heart
  1. Know your risk factors for heart disease.

  2. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.

  3. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

  4. Know your cholesterol numbers. [These include total cholesterol, HDL or "good" cholesterol, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides.]

  5. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.

  6. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.

  7. Eat for your heart health.

  8. Get regular physical activity. [At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week.]

  9. Aim for a healthy weight.

  10. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of seeking medical help immediately.

You can go to this page for more information on lowering heart disease risk.

I, for one, certainly have my work cut out for me. There are several areas where I could lower my risk. How about you?

By the way, my post title is not original. It's this year's official slogan for National Wear Red Day. And it's the truth!

Please take care of you, and spread the word to your sisters, mothers and daughters.