Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease prevention remains important for women, even though awareness is on the rise. Millions of women are at risk at increasingly younger ages.
Nearly 80 percent of midlife women, ages 40 to 60, still have one or more of the modifiable risk factors—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking.
Sixty percent of younger women, ages 20-39, have one or more of these risk factors. There are also high rates of overweight/obesity in younger women, which can lead to higher rates of heart disease in later years.
Women can prevent heart disease by:
• An annual physical to check blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index.
• Incorporating heart healthy eating.
• Getting regular physical activity.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Not smoking.
“Women are developing heart disease at younger ages, and our research shows that many women, particularly at younger ages, still do not recognize their personal risk,” says Susan Shurin, M.D., acting director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Institute is currently reminding all women of the importance of heart disease awareness through its Heart Truth campaign.
“What young women need to realize is that leading a healthy lifestyle in their 20s and 30s sets them up for a long and healthy life,” says Shurin. The late 20s and early 30s is a critical time for women to take action to reduce their heart disease risk.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director..