Womens’ Wellness Tips
Mercy Medical Group’s team of female cardiologists want to help identify women who are at risk for heart disease and help all women identify simple steps they can take to improve their health.
Heart Health: Advice for Women
There are lifestyle changes you can make today that can improve your health and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. Talk to your doctor about your risk for heart disease.
- Don't smoke. Tobacco use lowers your level of good cholesterol, raises your blood pressure and promotes clotting.
- Control your cholesterol. Most heart disease is the result of cholesterol-rich, fatty buildup that narrows the vessels that supply blood to your heart. There are two sources of cholesterol: your body, which makes cholesterol to aid digestion, and the foods you eat.
- Know your LDL. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) also known as bad cholesterol, accounts for most of the cholesterol in your blood and is considered most responsible for the formation of plaque.
- Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure damages arteries, setting the stage for plaque formation. It also increases the stress on the heart muscle, which may cause damage to the organ.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise can help control blood fats and blood glucose, maintain weight and lower blood pressure.
- Manage stress. Stress is a normal part of everyone's life. It is not the stress that increases your risk for CAD but how you cope with it.
- Control your weight. By itself, obesity increases your risk for heart disease. Obesity also contributes to other risk factors, including hypertension, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.
To learn more about cardiovascular disease, or if you have any concerns about your heart health, contact our female cardiologists at (888) 314-3627 or use our Find a Doctor tool to schedule an appointment today.