10 ways you can protect your heart

When was the last time you and your doctor talked about your heart? Chances are good the answer is not enough.

More than half of the women in a recent poll said they've never talked about their hearts to their doctors, and the percentage is even lower for women 50 to 64.

At the start of February, American Heart Month, heart experts are warning that nearly 39 percent of all deaths among American women are from heart attacks, strokes and other heart-related maladies. Such conditions kill about 484,000 women a year, compared to nearly 268,000 for all forms of cancer, according to the American Heart Association.

"While cardiovascular disease is still considered to be primarily a man's disease by the public and many health care providers, statistics prove otherwise," said Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres, a cardiologist at New York University's medical school.

Good and bad news 

The federal government's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute announced Friday that fewer women are dying fro heart disease. New figures show the number of women who die from heart disease has shifted from 1 in 3 women to 1 in 4 - a decrease of nearly 17,000 deaths from 2003 to 2004, the latest years numbers are available.

However, women aren't out of the woods quite yet when it comes to heart health.

A recent poll of 1,000 Americans by the Association of Women's Heart Programs found that nearly a third of the women had high blood pressure, 28 percent had high cholesterol, and 15 percent were diabetics. Slightly less than half exercised for 30 minutes at least three times a week, according to the findings.

But cardiologists say there's good news amid the figures. The poll, which also was sponsored by the California Pistachio Commission, found for women:

•  More than half are more aware than ever about the dangers of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke, compared to slightly less than half of the men.

•  A large majority aren't smoking cigarettes;

•  62 percent select heart-healthy foods all or most of the time;

•  Three-fourths know the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol;

•  60 percent are aware of heart-health benefits of eating nuts, such as pistachios.

"Yet, this good news is troubling since well more than a third of women polled say they are personally at risk for heart disease and fewer than half have initiated a discussion about their heart health while visiting their doctor," said Dr. Susan Bennett, president of the Association of Women's Heart Programs.

'Only so much women can do alone' 

Forty-eight percent of the people in the poll said their doctors haven't started a conversation about heart health during the past five years, but 54 percent said they never started conversations either.

Even for women 50 to 64, 42 percent reported no doctor-initiated conversation about their risk of heart disease and 49 percent say they haven't brought it up to their doctor either, according to the findings.

"There is only so much women can do alone," she said. "Sometimes exercise and diet just aren't enough and our doctors must intervene. Those of us who run women's heart centers often see women who are left at risk with poorly monitored or controlled blood pressure and cholesterol."

Bennett pointed to a survey in 2005 by the American Heart Association that showed only eight percent of primary-care physicians and 17 percent of cardiologists knew that heart disease kills more women than men. But Bennet's group found that nearly three quarters of Americans turn to their primary-care doctor for matters of the heart.

In addition, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease says that although more women than men die of heart disease, women receive 33 percent of all angioplasties, stents and bypass surgeries; 28 percent of implantable defibrillators; and 36 percent of open-heart surgeries.

That's why 75 percent of men survive a first heart attack, compared to only 62 percent of women do, according to the American Heart Association. And heart studies by major healthcare institutions and universities are only about 25 percent women, the Mayo Clinic reported recently.

Bennett said she hopes public campaigns like the National Red Dress Day will educate women, men and physicians.

"We see thousands of educated and empowered women crossing a bridge in search of cardiovascular disease prevention and care specific to women's hearts," Bennett said. "We are concerned that medical-care providers are not prepared to meet the women on the bridge with knowledge and approaches to care."

10 tips for women's heart health 

Meanwhile, Bennett, head of the Women's Heart Program at George Washington University Cardiovascular Center,  offers these tips to help women improve their hearts and form stronger partnerships with their doctors: 

•  Start talking about your heart and cardiovascular system with your doctor, regardless of your age.

•  Learn the differences between the symptoms of heart disease in men and women and talk with your doctor about them.

•  Set goals with your doctor about your blood pressure and cholesterol.

•  Start exercising so that your heart can pump more blood and nutrients throughout your body.

•  Keep heart-healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, within easy reach at your home and office, and in your car.

•  Keep your weight down, which will help lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease.

•  Stop smoking. Women who smoke have up to six times greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.

•  Control the risk for diabetes through healthy eating, exercise and doctor's visits.

•  Eat foods that contain fiber every day, with a goal of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily along with whole grains, nuts and legumes.

•  Don't put off regular checkups with your doctor.

This article includes information from CNN. 

Source: Association of Women's Heart Programs
Reference: Newswise

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