The
statistics are sobering: Heart disease is the number-one killer of women in the
United States. And an estimated eight million women have it. Whats more, a new
study shows that in recent years, the overall heart disease risk for
Americans—especially women—hasnt continued the healthy downward trend it showed
in previous decades. Ready for some good news? You can do more to prevent heart
disease than almost any other serious condition. Start with these age-specific
steps.
Your
30s
Declare a trans fat–free zone
Commonly
used to extend the shelf life of packaged foods like cookies and crackers, and
also found in margarine, trans fats pack a double whammy: They raise bad
cholesterol (LDL), while lowering good, protective HDL (your LDL should be
below 100; your HDL, above 60). In a Harvard University study, women with the
highest level of trans fats in their blood had triple the risk of heart
disease. Take a cue from major U.S. cities like New York and Philadelphia
(which have banned trans fats from restaurants), and pitch them out of your
pantry.
On ingredient lists, they show up as “hydrogenated” and “partially
hydrogenated” oils. But scrutinize any product touted as “trans fat–free” at
the supermarket too: Some manufacturers have replaced hydrogenated oils with
tropical oils that are high in saturated fat, which also raises LDL cholesterol.
Eating out in a city where trans fats arent banned? Skip the fried stuff; many
restaurants still use the oils for frying.
Use your ob-gyn as a partner
During
your prime reproductive years, you may visit your ob-gyn more than you go to
your regular doctor. Make sure you talk to her about your heart as well as
gynecological health, particularly because blood pressure (BP) can rise if
youre taking birth control pills or when youre pregnant.
Women who develop preeclampsia (pregnancy-related hypertension) are prone to
heart disease later in life. And, in general, “how your heart handles pregnancy
offers a snapshot of how it will look in middle age,” says Sharonne Hayes, MD,
director of the Womens Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn. To
keep BP from creeping up (the safe zone is lower than 120 over 80), substitute
herbs and spices for salt; try cumin for a healthy twist on popcorn, for
instance. Too much salt causes blood vessels to retain water, which can lead to
high BP.
Simmer down
If
you boil over when the shopper in front of you has 16 grocery items in the
15-or-fewer lane, beware: Losing your temper can damage your arteries,
according to research by C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Womens Heart
Center and endowed chair in Womens Health at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
in Los Angeles. “Raging causes your blood pressure to surge and stay up there,”
Dr. Merz says. Thats why its crucial to get a grip on anger at an early age,
before it takes a toll. Instead of venting when a situation makes you furious,
take a few deep breaths and describe to yourself whats making you angry. That
should help you calm down.
Your 40s
Dont skimp on sleep
When
your hormones are fluctuating madly, it can be tough to nod off. Itsno wonder,
then, that more than half of women in their 40s suffer from insomnia at least a
few nights a week. Thats nothing to yawn about, either. When your body is
deprived of restorative sleep, your heart has to work harder. And piles of
studies show that too little shut-eye can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart
failure, and diabetes.
How little is too little? A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine
suggests that less than 7.5 hours per night puts you at risk for heart disease.
And recent research from Duke University found that women who take more than a
half-hour to fall asleep or those who awaken frequently during the night have
inflammation in their arteries and higher levels of insulin, two major risk
factors for heart disease.
The soporific Rx: Do your best to unwind with a relaxing bedtime routine, like
listening to soothing music or a soaking in a tub with bath salts. And despite
how difficult it might sound, obey this rule: no technology or work in the
bedroom; your bed should be for sleep and sex only.
Monitor your
mood
Between
the demands of work and family, its easy to worry that something will fall
through the cracks—but dont let that something be your own peace of mind.
Perimenopausal women have nearly double the risk for depression, and that
spells trouble for their hearts, says Jennifer Mieres, MD, a cardiologist and
associate professor at New York Universitys School of Medicine. Uncontrolled
stress can raise blood pressure and flood blood vessels with inflammatory
chemicals, which in high doses can be toxic to the heart, while depression has
been linked to hardening of the arteries. Then there are the unhealthy habits
that come with stress and the blues: smoking, excessive drinking, and
overeating.
Smart medicine for your mood and your heart? Exercise. Thirty minutes of
aerobic activity (walking, biking, swimming) most days of the week has been
shown to reduce the symptoms of depression by about half, an effect comparable
to antidepressant use, while lowering blood pressure and strengthening your
cardiovascular system. But if youre feeling low more often than not, talk to
your doctor about therapy, antidepressants, or St. Johns wort. (New research
suggests that this herb works as well as antidepressants and has few side
effects.)
Get more
fish, flaxseed, and fiber
In
your 40s, as estrogen dips, your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides
(a type of fat stored in the blood) start creeping up, making a heart-healthy
menu more important than ever. Aim for two servings of fish, like salmon or
tuna, each week for omega-3 fats; or pick omega-3-fortified foods like orange
juice, margarine, and eggs. Also, sprinkle ground flaxseed on yogurt or cottage
cheese to lower cholesterol. And experiment with dishes that contain high-fiber
foods like apples, broccoli, beans, and bran cereal. Health fads come and go,
but a high-fiber diet has consistently proved to be good for the heart, says
Leslie Cho, MD, director of the Womens Cardiovascular Center at the Cleveland
Clinic, in Ohio.
Your 50s-Plus
Whittle your waist
If
a few extra pounds have settled around your middle since menopause,youre not
alone. “Basically, we start putting on weight more like men,” says Nieca
Goldberg, MD, medical director of New York Universitys Womens Heart Program and
author of Complete Guide to Womens Health. The “meno potbelly” is especially
hard on the heart because it builds up around internal organs, triggers
inflammation, and leads to insulin resistance.
Research from the famous Nurses Health Study found that women with a waist
circumference of more than 35 inches were twice as likely to die of heart
disease than women with a 28-inch waist, regardless of weight. Low-intensity
workout routines can help slow down the belly buildup, but to shrink it youll
need to work up a sweat with 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
at least three times a week. Try jogging, walking on the treadmill on a
challenging incline, or swimming laps.
Stay strong
Since
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is no longer thought to protect your heart
and may even harm it (talk to your doctor about the risks if you decide to try
it), you need to safeguard your heart with strong muscles. Add strength
training, such as a weight-lifting class, yoga, or Pilates, to your exercise
routine at least twice a week, Dr. Goldberg recommends. Youll keep blood
pressure in check, boost metabolism, zap more calories, control cholesterol,
and improve endurance. Sum total? A heart thatll keep pumping happily for years
to come.
Enjoy some
"friend benefits"
Whatever
causes you stress, leaning on friends for support and commiseration can help
keep blood pressure in check. “There are clearly good things that happen to
your heart when you care about people and people care about you,” Cedars-Sinais
Dr. Merz says. Talk out the stress with friends over a walk or at the gym, and
youll double your heart benefit.
This
content was first published in Health magazine, January/February 2009
Source: http://www.health.com/
