Here’s what women should pay attention to to avoid having a heart attack.
- In France, cardiovascular diseases (including heart attacks) represent the leading cause of death among women of all ages.
- To protect women from heart attacks, three specialists gave them some valuable advice.
- Myocardial infarction, also called “heart attack”, corresponds to the destruction of part of the heart muscle (the myocardium).
During a press conference of the French Federation of Cardiology (FFC) devoted to women’s health, cardiologist Anne-Laure Laprerie, cardiologist Gérard Helft and the co-president of the Commission “Heart of Women” Loan Vo Duy explained how French women can reduce their risk of having a heart attack.
“Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women of all ages,” the specialists first indicated at the start of their presentation. “As part of its research support program, the FFC subsidizes specific projects whose results will raise awareness of this issue and improve understanding of the care of women with cardiovascular diseases,” they added.
Several recommendations for women were also mentioned by experts to help them preserve their hearts. Several areas of prevention have been highlighted, namely:
1/ Live without tobacco
The first effects of stopping smoking are almost immediate: after 3 hours, carbon monoxide is eliminated from the blood; after 3 months, the risk of myocardial infarction decreases; after 5 years, the risk of myocardial infarction may be equivalent to that of a non-smoker.
2/ Do physical activity
Practicing 30 minutes of continuous physical activity per day reduces the risk of cardiovascular accidents by 30%.
Not only do you need to move, but you also need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle!
3/ Eat healthily
We must favor varied, balanced and regular meals. You must also eat at set times and not consume products that are too fatty, too salty or too sweet.
4/ Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages
Moderate alcohol intake is a factor in protecting the arteries, but you must limit yourself to 10 standard glasses (10 cl of wine) per week maximum, without ever exceeding 2 glasses per day and having days without consumption. Beyond this dose, the risk of high blood pressure and the risk of heart failure increase.
5/ Reduce your stress and learn to manage it
Stress represents the third risk factor for the occurrence of a heart attack, just after tobacco and cholesterol.
Several solutions exist to protect yourself: physical activity above all; relaxation/meditation; be accompanied by a psychologist/psycho-therapist…
Be careful, tobacco and drugs are not good options for reducing anxiety.
6/ Take care of your sleep
7 to 8 hours of sleep are generally necessary for the good health of our cardiovascular system.
It is also important to have regular waking up and going to bed times, including on weekends.
7/ Monitor your weight and waist size
Being overweight directly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Abdominal obesity reflects a breakdown in the balance between a diet that is too rich and regular physical activity that is insufficient to use the energy absorbed. We are talking “abdominal obesity” in women with a waist circumference greater than or equal to 80 cm.
8/ Have your cardiovascular health checked regularly by your doctor
9/ Be particularly vigilant about your state of health during the three key phases of hormonal life
10/ Do not underestimate a physical problem if it appears (shortness of breath, fatigue, etc.)
