By Iris Farrou
15 Aug, 2023
Diet & Exercise, Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, New Moms, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prevention, Women's Health, Your baby's health
Can I use antiperspirant while pregnant, Dehydration prevention, Diet during hot summer, Dizziness, Effects of overheating on pregnancy, Exercise During Pregnancy, Fainting Prevention, high temperatures, Hot Flashes during Pregnancy, How to stay hydrated while pregnant, Overheated, Overheating while Pregnant, Pregnancy, pregnant, Protecting my baby in the heat, Regulate Body Temperature
In some parts of the country the weather is starting to cool down at this time of year, but there are still areas being affected by heatwaves. Even if you’re not in the Midwest, the South, or any other part of the US where heat persists well into September, keep in mind that bigger cities suffer higher temperatures regardless. When you’re pregnant, you have an increased amount of blood in your body, which can make you feel hotter all the time. If you combine that with the summer heat, things can get really uncomfortable…
It’s a good idea to always be aware of the risks that come with a summer pregnancy:
- You are more likely to become overheated, and suffer from dizziness, nausea, headaches, or even muscle cramps.
- With that being said, keep in mind that the chances of fainting, or losing your step and falling, are higher: this could result in a more serious injury and endanger your baby’s health–even bringing on early labor or placental abruption.
- Dehydration is one of the risks associated with overheating. If your temperature is consistently above 101 degrees, you should be seeing your doctor. High fever– especially in the first trimester–has been shown to impact fetal development, particularly the fetal heart structure and neural tube defects.
- If you work outdoors, if your job requires manual labor, if you are working in a building that’s not climate controlled, or if you work in a commercial kitchen, you should know you are at higher risk of overheating while pregnant.
Though being pregnant is not the same experience for everyone, and not all people have the same advantages, opportunities, and support from family and friends during their term, the following steps are recommended so as to keep you and your baby safe:
- Since you are liable to overheat when pregnant, try to stay out of the heat as much as possible–especially if the outside temperature is higher than 90 degrees.
- Know that if your body temperature is higher than 102 degrees for more than 10 minutes, that puts you at a higher risk for heatstroke.
- Swelling and pregnancy go hand in hand, and in the summer heat this may get worse. Try to elevate your feet as much as you can, and stretch often. If you can, avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Your body is working for two, so with a higher blood volume, you will be sweating more. That’s your body trying to keep you cool: drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, and try to wear clothes that allow heat to escape.
- Underarm antiperspirant is not your friend: you need to allow your body to regulate its temperature, so you don’t want to trap heat in you. Try to wear light, breathable fabrics that help you cool down, and always use sunscreen to protect your skin from overheating.
- If you are exercising, it is best to stay inside and use AC– it is the best thing you can do for your safety to be in climate controlled environments, drink as much water as possible, and cool down every chance you get.
- Avoid the sun, avoid high sodium foods, and avoid all other drinks but water: non-alcoholic cocktails or other drinks have sugar and other ingredients that are not helping your cause. Water should be your beverage of choice.
Always trust your instincts when it comes to how you are feeling, and always listen to your body: even if the environment is seemingly cool and safe, if you feel that something is not right, follow your gut and seek medical attention.
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/07/01/summer-heat-brings-special-health-risks-for-pregnant-women
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro/heat.html
https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/10-things-no-one-expects-during-a-summer-pregnancy
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By Iris Farrou
21 Jul, 2023
Diet & Exercise, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, Prevention, Women's Health
Best Foods for High Blood Pressure, Foods to Lower Cholesterol, Good Cholesterol, Healthy Diet, heart health, Heart Health Diet, How do I lower my cholesterol, LDL, Low Cholesterol Substitutes, Lower Cholesterol Foods, Meal Prep, What can't I eat with high cholesterol
We hear the phrase “high cholesterol” many times, especially as we get older, but what does that really mean? Why are some people more prone to it than others? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that the human body needs–in healthy amounts. Lipoproteins in our blood carry cholesterol, and when the situation gets a little out of hand high levels of bad cholesterol in our bodies cause fatty deposits in our blood vessels–this in turn can heighten the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
What to Cut Off
An unhealthy diet can contribute to developing bad cholesterol and/or the health issues that come with it; fast food, fried food, processed diets, saturated fats and trans fats are not friendly if you are trying to keep your cholesterol levels low. Saturated fats can be found in full-fat dairy products, as well as meat and butter. So, you may have to think twice about grabbing that delicious cheese tray from the store, cooking with butter, or consuming a lot of meat. Trans fats are often found in margarines and store-bought cookies and cakes–tempting, aren’t they? Not for your goal of lowering cholesterol!
Eliminating these products will help you lessen the bad cholesterol your lipoproteins carry. It’s not always easy to make diet changes, especially when your “comfort food” helps you deal with the stress of health issues, so it’s completely understandable that this situation may be a real pickle… (and no, you unfortunately should not have pickles either)
What to Add
The #1 goal when it comes to lessening cholesterol levels is to help your body absorb it into your bloodstream so as to avoid fatty deposits or clogged blood vessels. Foods with soluble fiber are particularly skilled in helping you get the “good kind” of cholesterol– oatmeal, oat bran, and high-fiber foods like fruit (eg. bananas and berries) are a great start!
Not this may sound contradictory to the discussion around “fats,” but there are good fats and bad fats. Margarine, saturated fats, and trans fats are a no-go. But, fatty acids are on your side: they can reduce triglycerides, which is another type of fat found in our blood, and help your body retain the good kind of cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, and trout– their fresh versions! For better results, it is recommended that you bake or grill the fish.
Almonds, walnuts, and avocados are also foods that can improve blood cholesterol and have been found to reduce the risk of heart attack. Keep in mind that nuts are high in calories so a handful goes a long way. Avocados are the good kind of fat– the opposite of saturated fat, and they are also high in nutrients and fiber. However, you can’t eat them in guacamole with dangerous chips: add plain avocado to your salads or your breakfast, or try it as a side dish.
What to Replace
Similar to fatty acids, olive oil–and especially extra virgin olive oil–can be really successful in ensuring the good type of cholesterol is absorbed by your body. You can replace pretty much any use of butter with olive oil–the difference in taste will be minimal, and the health improvements will be tremendous.
Another thing you will need to replace, and that’s not necessarily in the kitchen, is your general stance on everyday life. Lack of physical activity is a very high risk factor for heart disease–it doesn’t matter where you are on your journey or if your body can only do so much; you have to start from where you are and build up to your body’s capacity of exercising regularly. This will also slowly start to help you with maintaining a healthy weight and lessen your chances of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, or other serious health problems.
Even if you are young and healthy, and we do hope you are, remember that knowledge is always power; check your cholesterol levels during regular blood tests and doctor visits, and keep an eye on your family history for cholesterol-related diseases.
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By Iris Farrou
23 Feb, 2023
Geriatric Mental Health, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, Nutrition, Queer Health, Women's Health
aging parents, Buffalo OBGYN, Caring For My Elderly Parents, Changes with Aging, Elderly Parents, Family Dynamics, Geriatric, Grandparent Mental Health, Helping Parents with Disabilities, Multi-generation Families, OBGYN, Retired Parents
With the rising costs of living, it is becoming more and more common for families to be multi-generational and house family members of all ages under one roof. More often than not, this means that elders move in with their adult children, who may have their own young families. This is an option that families decide on between themselves, for a variety of reasons, and sometimes it is more financially feasible than living in an elders’ community or a home. In addition to the psychological and communication factors that come into play with such a decision, there are also practical accommodations that need to be considered– which are often overlooked when the aging family member appears able-bodied, but can cause serious trouble if not addressed.
Psychological and Communication Factors
If a new family member joins your existing family, this will necessarily change the family dynamic. All members of the welcoming family need to discuss the options available to them and decide whether adding an aging parent to their household is something they are comfortable doing. Of course, aging parents need to have a say in this: many people are not comfortable with the idea of being a dependant, or with the need to adjust to someone else’s schedule. It is a difficult transition for both parties, and it needs to be treated carefully. Keep in mind that in addition to the behavioral adjustments and changes, there will also be a need for practical changes in the home itself.
Practical Changes
There is a reason why many restaurants and facilities ensure they are ADA compliant, and similar adjustments need to be made in a home where an elderly person resides. The simplest examples of this would be to ensure there is a step-free entry, ideally one that can accommodate a wheelchair and/or walker. Of course, that also means there is a bedroom and full bathroom on the ground floor–possibly enforced with safety amendments like a handrail, non-slip mats, a shower chair, and raised toilet seat.
Practical adjustments don’t necessarily mean that your house will end up looking like a hospital–this popularized, and terrifying, idea only comes around when we talk about in-home hospice, for serious cases. However, basic adjustments do mean that your home will look different, and will probably not have any throw rugs: they are the number one tripping hazard for elderly people, along with pets who are not contained.
Diet and Healthcare
Another common change usually involves keeping tabs on the elderly person’s healthcare, and making adjustments to the usual diet to accommodate their needs. This can range from keeping track of medications, and securing them so that only the person who needs them has access to them, to scheduling doctor appointments, ensuring transportation, interpreting medical results, and advocating for the person you are caring for.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/caring-others-resources-help-you
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2018/living-with-aging-parents.html?intcmp=AE-CAR-CAH-EOA1
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By Iris Farrou
08 Dec, 2022
Fatherhood, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, New Moms, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Procedures, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Surrogate, WNY Ob-Gyn News, Women's Health, Your baby's health
You have probably heard of couples using surrogate mothers to conceive, or carry a pregnancy to term. The term is often associated with a couple’s fertility challenges, and difficult as those may be, it doesn’t stop being a wonderful way for a couple to have a baby– the parents who initiate the process are called the “intended parents,” and the individual carrying the fetus is the “surrogate mother.” Some of the reasons parents-to-be consider surrogacy may be:
- Trouble conceiving through IVF, which may be related to infertility of unknown origin
- Medical issues that affect the uterus, or even a previous hysterectomy
- Conditions that make the pregnancy too high-risk, such as health concerns or advanced maternal age
- Queer couples
If you didn’t know it, there are two types of surrogacy: traditional one and gestational surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy: this is the least commonly used method of surrogacy as it comes with more legal and emotional complexities. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is both the egg donor and the surrogate mother. She uses her own eggs, and therefore has a genetic relationship to the baby. During this method, the surrogate is impregnated using intrauterine insemination. The doctor uses sperm provided by the intended father, transfers it into the uterus of the surrogate, and natural fertilization of the egg takes place from then on. As medical science advances, this type of surrogacy becomes increasingly less common.
Gestational Surrogacy: this is the most commonly used type of surrogacy, and there is no genetic relationship between the surrogate mother and the fetus. Instead, an embryo is inserted into the surrogate’s uterus and she carries the pregnancy to term for the intended parents. To get to that point, the intended parents provide sperm and eggs–or use either/or from a donor–fertilize them and then have them inserted into the surrogate mother’s uterus using in vitro fertilization. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate may be also called gestational carrier.
Why this choice?
As mentioned above, there are several health reasons why intended parents may choose to find a surrogate mother. However, the decision does not have to rely on those health reasons, and it is always deeply personal and a private decision. The most common reason people choose surrogacy over adoption is that they want to have a biological connection to their child; even though familial bonds are not necessary to build a strong, happy, and healthy family, many parents do want a biological connection to their offspring.
Surrogacy offers a safe and transparent pregnancy as the intended parents are there every step of the way. The most common concern with adoption is that the future parents do not know the medical history of the birth mother, or the father. This can raise serious concerns about their future baby’s medical history, and many parents feel uneasy not knowing whether their adoptive infant may have potentially been exposed to malnourishment or toxins in-utero.
If you are considering a surrogate option for your family, consult with your family doctor first, and keep in mind you may also need to review your state’s laws around surrogacy agreements.
https://www.surrogateparenting.com/blog/what-is-a-surrogate-mother/
https://www.fertilitypreservation.org/blog/when-to-consider-surrogacy-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one
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By Iris Farrou
01 Nov, 2022
Diet & Exercise, Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Reproductive health, Women's Health
Anorexia and Pregnancy, Eating Disorders and Pregnancy, healthy eating, How to Eat While Pregnant, Hypertension, Mental Health Disorders During Pregnancy, Pregnancy Nutrition
The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, yet there are other types out there that are not as common. Unfortunately, research on eating disorders and pregnancy is quite limited– there are estimations that eating disorders affect 5-8% of women during pregnancy, but this may not be completely credible as results can be skewed due to women’s reluctance to recognize eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia often become noticeable in adolescence, and it’s possible that they linger during a woman’s reproductive years. Consequently, they can of course affect not only a woman’s reproductive health but also the health of her baby.
Fertility is the first affected area of women who suffer from an eating disorder: most women with anorexia do not have menstrual cycles, and approximately half of the women who have bulimia do not experience regular menstrual cycles. Absence of menstruation or irregular periods can limit the chances of conceiving, or even make it a lot more difficult for a couple to conceive. If you know you have an eating disorder and are seeking to get pregnant, it will be much healthier for you and your future baby if you try to treat your eating disorder first and establish some healthy eating habits. It is also important to share your history with medical professionals and ask for your weighing to be treated with more care.
Though there is quite a long list of complications associated with eating disorders during pregnancy, rest assured that proper planning and prenatal care– as well as a commitment to building healthy eating habits and helping your body remain healthy– can minimize a lot of those complications, lessen the risks associated with them, and enhance your chances for a healthy pregnancy. Some of those complications can be premature labor and low birth weight, as well as delayed fetal growth and respiratory problems. You may also be at a higher risk for emergency cesarean birth and other complications during labor. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and even miscarriage are also possible complications. Women with eating disorders are also at a higher risk for postpartum depression, and depression during pregnancy, and are more likely to have problems with breastfeeding. Women with bulimia are at a higher risk for hypertension, and substances such as laxatives and other medications may be harmful to the development of the baby and can lead to fetal abnormalities as well.
Eating disorders unfortunately cannot be treated with medications that are pregnancy-safe. Treatment includes, first and foremost, the mother’s determination to have a healthy pregnancy and–difficult and shameful as it may be–disclosing to health professionals that you are struggling with an eating disorder. That way, your doctor will be able to tailor your prenatal visits accordingly, and know the risk factors associated with your pregnancy. The obstetrician’s care can be complemented by a registered dietitian/nutritionist and a therapist for well rounded care and medical treatment.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/eating-disorders-and-pregnancy/
https://www.verywellmind.com/pregnancy-and-eating-disorders-4179037
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By Iris Farrou
07 Sep, 2022
Diet & Exercise, Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Heart health, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Prevention, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Women's Health
Body Changes in Pregnancy, body positive, Body Positivity During Pregnancy, Body Positivity While Pregnant, Eating Disorders and Pregnancy, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy weight gain pregancy, How much weight should I gain in pregnancy, How to manage weight during pregnancy, how to prepare body for pregnancy, Weight Gain Support
If you have armed yourself with all the knowledge you can gather regarding the possible changes
on your body during pregnancy, then you are one step closer to dealing with the physical effect
of those changes. Some women, though they do know their body will change during pregnancy
and possibly afterwards as well, do not seem to mind it at all. Great! According to a survey of
more than 1500 women, just over 41% said they felt more negative about their bodies after
pregnancy. Which goes to show: the majority of women are struggling with body image while
pregnant. Not to mention what the body image stress is probably not helping the baby…
Is this only related to pregnancy?
Of course not… women in general are held to unrealistic expectations of beauty standards—expectations that the media and society constantly repeat. In recent years, this pressure for body perfection has worsened with the rise of social media. What is worse in pregnancy, however, is that the changes are relatively rapid, weight gain is almost always expected, feelings are exacerbated, and you may even be feeling alien in your own body. A vessel, so to speak. All of these are true: you will most likely gain weight during your pregnancy, it’s possible to develop stretch marks, and it is also a possibility that your post-partum body will not be 100% the same as your pre-pregnancy body.
This is a lot…
Yes, this can absolutely be overwhelming. Despair not! Weight gain is—and we cannot stress this enough—normal, and healthy for your baby. Also, if your doctor or nurse gives you the green light, you can exercise while pregnant. It may be light exercise, such as swimming or walking, or pre-natal yoga. These options help make you more aware of the connection between your body and your mind, perhaps take some of the edge off and your mind off of your worries and are steps to ensure the overall health of your body.
If you are concerned about weight gain during pregnancy, make a plan with your doctor, nurse, or mid wife, about your diet. Allow yourself the small pleasures without guilt: your body is participating in the miracle of nourishing a new life. There is no way to make this happen in a healthy manner unless you experience changes yourself.
What else can I do?
Honestly, don’t bottle up your feelings. Being insecure about, or even disappointed with, your
body image is completely normal. Share those feelings and thoughts with your partner, talk about
those worries with your friends. You may want to join a mom group, or even an online
discussion forum where you can exchange ideas with others on the same boat. If it gets too
much, you can always talk to a medical professional or a therapist. Even if you didn’t have body
image issues before pregnancy, it is not uncommon that future mothers start facing those worries
for the first time when they become pregnant. You are not alone in this!
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By Iris Farrou
08 Mar, 2021
Heart health
Best gyns in Buffalo, Best OB practices in Buffalo, Best OBGYN Groups in Buffalo, Buffalo OB-GYN, Buffalo OBGYN, Chouchani MD, WNY OB-GYN, WNY Ob-gyn doctors, WNY OBGYN, women's heart health
Though we may be more concerned with heart attacks in general, it is important to remember it is just one condition associated with the umbrella of heart diseases, which may also include coronary artery disease, valve disease, or rhythm problems—among others.
Causes and Symptoms
The cause of a heart disease may depend on one or more of the following risk factors:
- Diabetes: Women with diabetes have higher chances of developing heart disease than men. Additionally, because diabetes changes the way one perceives pain, it also increases the chances of a silent heart attack.
- Stress and depression: In addition to making it difficult overall to have a healthy lifestyle, stress has been found to affect women at a higher percentage than men when it comes to heart health.
- Smoking and inactivity: Undeniably the causes of myriad health problems, smoking and lack of physical activity directly influence heart health in women negatively.
- Menopause: A cause for concern after menopause is the low estrogen levels, which may lead to heart disease in smaller blood vessels.
- Pregnancy complications: Women’s long-term risk of high blood pressure and diabetes may be augmented if such health conditions make themselves present during pregnancy.
- Family history: History of early heart disease appears to be a higher risk factor in women than in men.
Symptoms of heart disease should be taken seriously, and be followed up with consultation with a medical professional, especially as they may resemble day-to-day symptoms of fatigue:
- Pain in the neck, jaw, or throat
- Sharp chest pain or discomfort, but also dull and heavy pain
- Pain in the back or upper abdomen
- Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Chest palpitations
- Shortness of breath and swelling of the feet and ankles
Misdiagnosis
The two main reasons for misdiagnosed heart disease in women is that it is typically thought of as a male problem—despite it being the number one cause of death of American women—and that the symptoms are sometimes dismissed as something less serious.
A study conducted in 2018 found that 62% of women reported more than three symptoms that were not associated with the chest area or with chest pain, compared to 54.8% of men. Additionally, 53% of women in the study confessed to their doctors or health providers dismissing the symptoms as not associated with heart disease. Only 36.7% of men in the study reported their health provider treating their symptoms as something less.
Health Tips
Maintaining your overall health is important in preventing heart disease, but you may want to pay more particular attention to alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as add regular exercise to your routine. Managing and lowering stress levels and depression is also optimal, as is a diet that assists your overall health.
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While heart health is often talked about as a problem men face, women are also at risk. And when it comes to heart attacks, the symptom of sudden chest pain is more widely known than any others. Though this can definitely signify a heart attack, women do not experience it the way men do. Signs of heart health issues in women may include neck, jaw, shoulder or abdominal discomfort, pain on the arms, shortness of breath and nausea, sweating, indigestion and unusual fatigue.
Because these symptoms are not directly associated with the chest area, lots of women do not draw connections between the aforementioned discomforts and their heart health. Additionally, women are misdiagnosed when they are suffering from a heart condition at a much higher rate than men.
Whereas we vaguely know that older men are in danger of a heart attack, women of all ages should be more aware of the condition of their heart, especially women who experience high stress levels in their everyday lives and those who have a family history of health disease—even if they are younger than 65.
As is the case with most conditions that build up over time, heart health is made worse when experiencing high levels of stress. More specifically, it has been found that women whose work environment is especially pressuring, women in professional settings that demand rapid decisions, have high standards of performance, or are generally worried about being fired, are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (even under the age of 51). Early warnings signs include thickness of the carotid artery wall.
Though it is challenging to avoid a stressful work environment, there are ways in which the stress can be alleviated:
- You can make sure that you are eating as healthy as possible, following a diet that is appropriate for your body and steers you clear of obesity—a factor which can definitely worsen heart conditions.
- It is also suggested that you exercise regularly, another way in which you can ensure a healthy weight.
- Limited alcohol consumption, as well as quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke are important in lessening the risk of a heart condition.
- As much as you can, limit intrusions into your life that add stress, especially as those pertain to professional intrusions outside of work hours.
- You can also experiment with practicing different relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and progressive relaxation.
Remember that sometimes what we do on our own may not be enough, or we might be needing an extra support system. In those cases, it is never a bad idea to foster mutually supportive relationships with those around us, and/or to seek help from a mental health professional.
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February is woman’s heart health awareness month. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease remains the number one cause of death for women in the US.
Even seemingly healthy people who eat well most of the time, exercise occasionally, and feel fine, can be at risk of heart disease. There are many factors unique to woman that make them vulnerable to heart disease or stroke. While the simple fact of female gender increases the risk of heart disease, age, race, and family history are among the other main contributors.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Essentially, there are two groups of risk factors, those you can control and those you cannot. The factors you have more control over include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, your weight and body fat, exercise, body weight, food choices, and Type I diabetes. The factors you may not have as much control over include age, gender, family history, race, familial cholesterol, blood pressure, and history of previous stroke or heart attack.
Know Your Numbers
The American Heart Association recommends that woman keep an eye on the following numbers: Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Body Mass Index (BMI). While it’s not the same for everyone, typically a normal blood pressure is 120/80, acceptable body mass should be around 25%-30%, and fasting blood sugar should be less than 100 mg/dl. Additionally, cholesterol should be checked and monitored by your doctor.
Control What You Can
Yes, you’ve heard it before, we all have; diet and exercise are paramount to being healthy. While many women “look” and “feel” healthy, it doesn’t mean they are living a heart-healthy life. The best way to eat a heart healthy diet is to fill up on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Opt for foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar. One good rule of thumb is to choose 50% fruits and vegetables at every meal. The key is limiting or totally cutting out proceed foods.
Being active is another important piece to this puzzle. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests healthy adults should be active for 150 minutes a week. That breaks down to 2 hours and 30 minutes. So, exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week is ideal. Moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking or bicycling, is recommend.
While it’s no surprise smoking is to be avoided at all costs, monitoring alcohol intake is also suggested. Women should have only one alcoholic drink per day. Red wine is known to have heart healthy benefits and remains a good choice (in moderation) due to its antioxidants.
Looking for more information about heart health? Check out these articles by our group:
Heart Health Month and Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease
Every Second Counts. Don’t Ignore the Symptoms of a Major Heart Event
February is American Heart Month: What is your heart age?
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/features/wearred/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/healthy_living.htm
https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/commit-to-better-health
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February 14th is not the only day this month that we should wear red and think about our hearts. February is American Heart Health Month, an important initiative started by the American Heart Association to encourage men and women across the nation to focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. Women in particular face serious risks for heart disease, heart attack, and other heart-related illnesses. This February, celebrate Heart Health Month by learning these important tips for reducing your risk of heart disease, and for staying healthy for your loved ones, this month and always.
If you smoke, quit.
According to the American Heart Association, smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke in women by two to four times. Women who smoke also have a 25 percent higher risk of developing heart disease compared to men.
Maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
A diet high in refined sugars and carbohydrates puts women at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that makes adults two to four times more likely to develop heart disease or stroke.
Control your blood pressure.
High blood pressure is known as the silent killer, because it can sneak up on you quickly with deadly consequences. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than normal. If not treated, it can damage and scar arteries, which puts women at risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Manage your cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a fat-like material that builds in body and blood cells. Overtime, if not properly managed, cholesterol that builds up in the inner walls of the arteries hardens and turns to plaque. This plaque narrows the artery walls, making it difficult for blood to pass freely. In the most severe cases, blockages in the arteries can form which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Adults, especially women, who carry an unhealthy and excessive amount of body weight put themselves at greater risk for heart-related health complications. Carrying too much weight can strain your heart, and lead to high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and can put you at risk of diabetes—all risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Stay active.
Maintaining an active lifestyle can help manage several of the risk factors listed above. Being active can help you maintain a strong, healthy heart, maintain a healthy weight, lower your risk of diabetes, and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Eat a healthy diet.
Staying active and eating healthy go hand-in-hand. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by maintaining a healthy diet full of healthy vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats, and grains. A healthy diet will help you maintain your weight, lowering your risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and ultimately, heart disease.
Remember, you are in control of your heart health. You don’t have to be a victim of a dangerous health incident. It’s never too late to start taking control of your heart health by making changes that will lower your risks. We recommend starting this February. Happy Heart Health Month from all of us at Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello, MD!
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