Heart disease and women suffering from it is a serious health problem today. However, as we have learned in a previous post, there are things we as women can do to reduce the risk of developing this serious disease.
As reported previously, there are nine activities women can do to lower their risk of heart disease. They were:
- Cholesterol
- Blood Pressure
- Smoking
- Physical Activity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Birth Control Pills
- Alcohol & Illegal Drugs
We talked some about what steps you can take to lower your cholesterol. Today, we can briefly cover how to lower your blood pressure. How? By doing this according to Go for Red for Women. Their site is http://www.goredforwomen.org/understand_your_risks.aspx
Reduce High Blood Pressure!
High blood pressure (or hypertension) makes the heart work harder than normal. This makes both the heart and arteries more prone to injury. High blood pressure raises the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, heart failure and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries).
As a woman, you have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if you are 20 pounds or more over a healthy weight (for your height and build), have a family history of high blood pressure, or have reached the age of menopause. More than 73% of women ages 65 to 74 have high blood pressure.
What’s more, your risk of developing high blood pressure increases during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. If not treated, high blood pressure during pregnancy can endanger you and your baby. On the other hand, if you’re taking oral contraceptives, talk to your healthcare provider to evaluate the risks and benefits.
The lesson is to make sure you never develop high blood pressure. This in turn can reduce your risk of heart disease. The problem of heart disease and women doesn’t have to be yours!
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885 anytime
Skype: Moniqu371
mentormonique@gmail.com