Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in men and women.

When it comes to risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity, both sexes are at equal risk for developing heart disease. But, did you know there are some risk factors where women are actually at greater risk than men?

• Smoking: Women who smoke are more likely to develop heart disease than men.

• Diabetes: If you are a woman with diabetes, you have a greater heart disease risk than a man with diabetes.

• Stress and Depression: As a woman, your risk for heart issues, if you are depressed, are greater than a man’s risk.

• Pregnancy: Your long-term risk of heart disease may increase if you had high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.

•Menopause: As your estrogen levels decrease after menopause, you are naturally at a higher risk for a certain kind of heart disease that affects your small blood vessels.

Checklist to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack

We are always making check lists – shopping, errands, kids’ activities. We should also make a list, (and check off) strategies to lower our risk of heart disease.

As women we are sometimes better at taking care of others than we are of ourselves. But our own heart health should be a priority.

First, if you smoke, stop. Smokers can, and do, successfully quit. Quitting smoking is hard and it sometimes requires several attempts. The younger you are when you quit, the better, but it’s never too late to stop as your body starts to respond almost immediately upon quitting.

The U.S. Surgeon General has said, “Smoking cessation [stopping smoking] represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.” Need help quitting? We offer resources, call 985-449-4686.

Start and stick with an exercise plan. Regular exercise can not only help you manage your weight, but can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five times per week. The key to sticking with a regular exercise program is to find an activity that you enjoy doing. Walking outdoors, bike riding, swimming, and yoga are some that are enjoyed by many. The Fitness Center of Thibodaux Regional offers hundreds of group exercise classes each month from cycling to body pump, aqua Zumba and barre to yoga. In addition, they have state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment and an indoor track. For more information about the Fitness Center go to fitnesscenterofthibodauxregional.com.

Another item on your heart health checklist should be to see your doctor. Regular visits and routine screenings are essential for heart (and overall) health.

Your doctor can monitor and check for conditions that can lead to poor heart health including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Usually silent, these conditions, when left untreated, can have severe heart health consequences.

Manage your weight. Heart disease and weight loss are closely linked. Being 20 percent overweight or more significantly increases your risk for developing heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, even if you have no other related health conditions, obesity itself increases risk of heart disease.

If you are overweight, chances are you have tried diets in the past and have not been successful. Talk to the experts at the Weight Management Center of Thibodaux Regional for solutions and programs to learn long term strategies to manage your weight. Find out more, call 985-493-4765.

Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

Just as there are differences in some risk factors for cardiovascular disease for women than for men, some signs of a possible heart attack are also different. For women, signs and symptoms of a heart attack are often more subtle including:

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Extreme fatigue

• Pain in the jaw or neck

Studies also show women are more likely to report chest pain as an ache or a tightening – not necessarily as the crushing pain you think of when you think “heart attack.”

It should also be noted that women are more likely to ignore, or write off, symptoms of a potential heart attack. Don’t do this. If you have any reason to suspect you’re having a heart attack, or if you have unexplained symptoms, call 9-1-1.

Katie Richard, MA, BSN, RN, is the education and training coordinator at Thibodaux Regional. For more information on how you can improve your heart health, contact the Wellness Education Center at 985-493-4765.