By Susan J. White
NorthShore University HealthSystem
February is American Heart Month—an opportunity to get the word out about heart disease and how critically important it is to take control of your health and confront potential risk factors.
Heart disease is the biggest killer of women, more than any cancer, and in fact more than all cancers combined, according to the American Heart Association. Yet the number of women who take this threat seriously remains low.
Eileen Kelly, MD, a NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology and women’s health, is a tireless advocate working to raise awareness and encourage women to take steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle.
“We are creatures of habit, and we know how difficult it is to break old habits and make new healthier habits,” Dr. Kelly says. While the risk of heart diseases rises with age, it can and does affect young women. So it is never too early to talk to a physician, assess your individual risk and take charge of your health, she adds.
Citing The Nurses’ Health Study, one of the largest and longest running research studies related to women’s health, Dr. Kelly points to findings that women who don’t smoke, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet decrease their risk of a heart attack and stroke by more than 80 percent. “That is the power of you,” she says. “Some people with a family history of heart disease feel doomed, but you can put yourself on a different path.”
Dr. Kelly counsels patients to begin by taking baby steps toward their goals to eat healthy and exercise. “Pick one thing at a time that you can improve, don’t set yourself up for failure by thinking you can change all your habits at once,” she says.
Dr. Kelly encourages patients to keep a food diary and record everything they eat. “This helps you see patterns and pitfalls and identify areas where you can improve.” Cutting out one negative behavior or food at a time and changing your philosophy and approach to eating is a more successful strategy than considering a temporary diet to lose weight.
Being creative about fitting exercise into a busy life is more important than ever as many women already feel there is not enough time in the day for competing personal and professional responsibilities.
“I tell patients to analyze their schedules and lifestyle to see what will work for them, be methodical about planning time to exercise and then really make it a habit,” says Dr. Kelly. Fitting shorter periods – even 20 minutes of activity like brisk walking – into your day will produce benefits. The latest statistics reveal that less than one quarter of American adults meet recommended guidelines for physical activity.
From exercise channels on cable TV to free videos at the library there are many ways to exercise without spending big dollars on a health club, she adds. Finding an exercise partner and using the buddy system is another good way to stick to plans and begin a regular exercise routine, says Dr. Kelly.
The American Heart Association website www.heart.org is a great resource with recipes, exercise strategies and more, Dr. Kelly says.
While the most common symptom for men and women experiencing a heart attack is some kind of chest pain or pressure, women are far more likely than men to experience atypical signs including back pain, jaw pain, GI-like issues including reflux and even earlobe pain. Dr. Kelly urges any women experiencing new or different pains “above the waist” to see their physician and not ignore what could be critical warning signs.
