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    Feb 03
    Blog: Heart Month

    Friday, February 5 is Wear Red Day!

    Heart disease is the number one killer of women, claiming the lives of 1 in February: National Heart Month3 across the country. National Wear Red Day® seeks to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in women with a focus on prevention. 

    Nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented, according to the American Heart Association, yet cardiovascular diseases continue to be women’s greatest health threat. Eating more fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish leads to better heart health. Get no-salt tips from the American Heart Association. The Heart Association also recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise each week. It’s ok to break it up into 10- to 20-minute chunks. Find recipes, exercise tips, and heart-healthy living recommendations here

    The Go Red movement reminds women that wearing red on National Wear Red Day® is not just about making a statement. It’s about making a commitment to take charge of your heart health and to know the signs of a heart attack in women, which can be very different than it is in men.

    Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack

    If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away:

    • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
    • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
    • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
    • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold swear, nausean, or lightheadedness.
    • As with men, the most common heart attack symptom for women is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

    Talk to your primary care provider about the right prevention methods for you or ask for a referral to a dietitian to learn more about the right nutrition for you. If you have any risk factors, your doctor can give you a referral to a cardiologist who can help you achieve and maintain a healthy heart. Learn more about Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Cardiology & Vascular Health here

    And don’t forget—Wear Red on Friday, February 5!