New Heart Health Guidelines for Women Include Aspirin, Excercise and Healthy Diet

Women Need to Take Heart Heath Seriously. Here is How:

"Heart Disease is the number 1 cause of death in women," headlines read all over newspapers and the evening news. The American Heart Association published a new study on Monday, February, 19, with guidelines aimed at promoting heart health. With these newly released guidelines, the AHA stresses that the #1 thing you can do to prevent heart disease is get regular and comprehensive medical exams.

For years, men have been the target of heart disease studies. After all, men are the ones who have heart attacks, right? Wrong. Heart disease kills 1 woman every 34 seconds (www.msha.com). Heart health should be a concern for all , as almost everyone is affected either through a relative, friend, or themselves. Additionally, approximately two thirds of women who died from a heart attack had no previous symptoms (www.msha.com).

These latest guidelines produced by the AHA , American Academy of Family Physicians, and the US Government, promote an aggressive approach for higher risk women, and steps that can reduce the risk in all women (www.reuters.com).

The Guidelines:

- Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise on most and preferably all days, 60 to 90 minutes if you need to lose weight.

- Diet. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fish at least twice a week, and limited salt. Saturated fat should be limited to less than 10 percent of calories, 7 percent is ideal, and trans fats to less than 1 percent. Limit alcohol to one drink or less a day.

- Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplements are recommended, if you aren't already taking them.

- Don't smoke. Nicotine replacement devices may be used if necessary.

- Weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) should be 25 or less.

- Blood pressure and cholesterol. Keep these under control, with medicine if needed. Keep LDL or bad cholesterol under 100 if at high risk of heart disease and under 70 if at very high risk. It is vital to have these checked regularly by your physician.