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Presence Saint Joes Offers Women's Healthy Heart Screening

Ask a woman if she takes care of her family, and the answer is most likely a resounding yes. Take care of her home? Of course. How about her heart? Well, maybe not so much.

It may not be at the top of most women’s to-do lists, but caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the secret weapon to preventing heart disease.

In fact, says JoAnn Donoghue, D.O., board-certified cardiologist on staff at the Presence Women’s Center in New Lenox, making positive changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 80%.

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“All women face the threat of heart disease,” she explained. “Even though it’s often thought of as a man’s health problem, heart disease claims the lives of more women than men each year.”

High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices also put women at higher risk, including diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.

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“The good news is that there are many things you can do now to reduce your chances of getting heart disease,” Dr. Donoghue said. These include:

·      Quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Talk to your doctor about the most successful methods to help you quit smoking, including nicotine patches and gums, prescription medications, support groups and programs to help you stop smoking.

·      Know your blood pressure. “Years of high blood pressure can lead to heart disease,” she said. “People with high blood pressure have no symptoms so have your blood pressure checked every one to two years and get treatment if you need it.”

·      Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested.High blood cholesterol can clog the arteries and keep your heart from getting blood it needs, causing a heart attack. Triglycerides are a form of fat in the blood stream. High levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease in some people. “Unfortunately, people with high cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have both levels checked regularly,” she explained. “If your levels are high, talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower them.” Sometimes eating better and exercising more is enough. Or, your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol.

·      Exercise consistently. The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week to keep your heart working more efficiently. An added plus is that physical activities improve strength, flexibility and balance to help you stay agile as you age.

·      Eat healthy. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean poultry, fish and nuts; avoid red meat, as well as sugary and processed foods, and foods high in sodium, cholesterol and fat.

·      Manage stress. Stress is the body’s response to change. The body reacts to stress by releasing the hormone adrenaline, which causes breathing and heart rate to speed up, and blood pressure to rise. Constant or continuous stress can be harmful to the heart. To keep your stress under control, understand your triggers, how to respond to stressful situations, and adopt healthy ways to combat stress through physical activity, meditation, yoga or talk to your doctor about stress-management classes.

To find out if you’re risk of heart disease, the Presence Women’s Center offers the Women’s Healthy Heart Screening. For just $40, the screening gives you a comprehensive look at your overall heart health, including a personal cardiac risk assessment/questionnaire; measurements of height, weight and body mass index; an electrocardiogram (EKG); blood pressure and lung spirometry test; a health history review; a total lipid profile, including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and glucose; educational materials about diet and exercise; a comprehensive results summary packet; and a results consultation with Dr. Donoghue. In addition, all women will receive a spa gift bag with coupons and samples and the opportunity to add a Chocolate Express Facial for only $40.

“Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer,” Dr. Donoghue added. “But taking positive steps now can reduce your risk and help you lead a healthy, productive lifestyle.”

For more information or to register for the Women’s Healthy Heart Screening, call 815.462.5566. The Presence Women’s Center is located at the Presence Healing Arts Pavilion, 410 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox.

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

The symptoms of heart disease and heart attack can be different for women than they are in men. Women are also less likely to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and seek treatment. By learning and recognizing the symptoms, women can become more assertive in their treatment.

The most common symptoms of heart disease in women are:

·      Pain or pressure over the chest that travels to the arm or jaw

·      A burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen

·      Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, fatigue and nausea.

If you have chest pain or any of the symptoms listed above that last for more than five minutes, seek emergency treatment by calling 9-1-1 without delay. These symptoms could be the sign of a heart attack, and immediate treatment is essential.

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