Heart of the matter

Get the skinny on keeping your ticker pumping at its very best

Chances are good that you know at least one woman who’s at risk for heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States. And yet 80 percent of heart disease cases are preventable.

The only risk factors you can’t modify are your age and your family history.

Here is information on how you can protect yourself and all the women in your life.

SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

While chest pain is the primary symptom of a heart attack in both sexes, women are more likely than men to experience additional signs, such as:

 • Shortness of breath.

 • Nausea or vomiting.

 • Profuse sweating or cold sweats.

 • Dizziness.

 • Neck, shoulder, upper back, jaw or abdominal pain.

 • Extreme fatigue.

WHAT DOCTORS WISH WOMEN KNEW

Get the right test: Most health fairs offer free cholesterol screenings, but to get the most accurate reading you’ll need to go to a doctor’s office. Health-fair screenings usually report only a total cholesterol number rather than breaking it down into LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels. Your doctor will have you fast for nine to 12 hours before the test for more accurate results.

Experts recommend getting tested at least every five years if you are over 20, but you should have your levels checked more often if your doctor has started any form of treatment for lowering your cholesterol, or if you have diabetes or heart disease.

Take it seriously: When you get your cholesterol numbers back, don’t toss the paper or leave it with your doctor. Keep the report at home, update your file each time you’re tested and take it with you when you see a new primary-care doctor or specialist. Knowing your cholesterol history helps doctors track your changes and helps you make improvements.

Find the right medication: You might need to try several types of medication to find the drug or drugs that work for you. While doctors have many more options to help manage high blood pressure than they once did, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be able to get your numbers under control immediately. It can sometimes take more than two attempts before your doctor is able to zero in on the right medication for you.

What’s more, it used to be thought that one medication could “do it all” for high blood pressure. However, using more than one medication is more effective for up to two-thirds of patients because, in general, each medicine lowers blood pressure about 10 points.

It’s not just about drugs: Cholesterol-lowering drugs, especially statins, are often called wonder drugs. But doctors say patients make a big

mistake if they rely solely on medicine. Drugs don’t prevent cholesterol buildup; they simply clear excess cholesterol from the body.

Physical activity and a healthy diet can improve your numbers and reduce other risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, which cholesterol drugs do not treat. Most experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.

A home blood pressure monitor might help you: Many doctors believe it’s more useful to have this at home than a thermometer. Take your blood pressure at different times each day when you’re relaxed and have been sitting down for five minutes. If you notice that your blood pressure is increasing over time, talk to your doctor. Nighttime trends are especially important because blood pressure should go down at night.

The newest home blood pressure monitors are more effective and better calibrated than the old monitors in drugstores, and cost around $50 to $60.

And finally … don’t neglect yourself in caring for others. One doctor notes that his hospital sees more female heart attack patients at the end of the day because that’s when women finally pay attention to their symptoms.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK

Soak up some rays: Surprising but true, spending 10 to 15 minutes of time in the sun a few days a week without sunscreen isn’t just safe; it’s also good for your heart. The reason? Sunning unprotected body parts such as your face, arms and hands triggers the production of vitamin D, which has been linked to a decrease in Type-2 diabetes and heart disease.

Be a regular flosser: Studies have shown a connection between gum disease and an increased risk for atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Slide the floss against the side surfaces of your teeth (not just between) in order to remove harmful bacteria and plaque.

Go wild for walnuts: Walnuts are the new broccoli. Regularly adding them to your diet reduces cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases, according to a new Norwegian study. Besides being packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease the risk of heart disease, they also contain more heart-healthy antioxidants than any other tree nut. Toss a handful on your salad, cereal or pasta or mix them into yogurt.