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Though heart disease comes with many risk factors, in many cases it's preventable and it doesn't take heroic efforts to ward it off. Research shows that women can lower their heart disease risk by 82% simply by leading a healthy lifestyle.
What does that include? Healthy eating, not smoking, exercising, and controlling risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It also means educating yourself, and including the right people in a healthy lifestyle plan.
Part of a healthy lifestyle is having your doctor be part of your plan. Many of us try to go it alone when we start a new diet or exercise program. We see the doctor as just a place to go when we're sick. We often feel nervous while sitting through the appointment, and then we hurry out of there with the eagerness of an elementary school kid at the 3:00 bell.
Your doctor should be your advocate, someone you can talk to about your health goals. If you feel your doctor isn't listening or doesn't have your best interest at heart, find another one. Think about the type of doctor you want; some people like the warm and fuzzy types, while others prefer a no-nonsense approach. Ask around to get referrals from friends, colleagues, or relatives. Or, schedule a consultation with a few doctors. Keep in mind that if you don't like your doctor, you probably aren't getting the most out of your visits.
Now that you've included your doctor in the plan, be sure both you and your doctor are educated about women and heart disease. Statistics show that less than half of all women reported that their doctors have discussed heart disease with them. Read up on symptoms specific to women, risk factors, medications, and testing. Don't be afraid to ask questions or talk about trends, statistics, or new treatments. If your doctor is a woman, she might be well served by this information too.
After discussing your risks and symptoms your doctor may order blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose tests. Blood pressure should be checked at every regular health care visit, while cholesterol should be checked every five years starting at age 20, and glucose checked every three years starting at age 40. Other diagnostic tests include an EKG, which can detect evidence of a heart attack or an inadequate supply of blood to the heart. Chest X-rays, stress tests, nuclear imaging, echocardiography, MRI, electron beam computer tomography, and angiography can all provide various levels of heart disease detection. Before getting these tests, understand what they involve and what the results mean.
If your doctor has prescribed medication to control your risk factors, read and understand what they do, what they don't do, and how they can interact with medications you are currently taking. If you have concerns about medication, your pharmacist can also help. When getting a prescription from the pharmacy, it's always a good idea to verify the medication and ask the pharmacist about contraindications. If you have bothersome side effects, try to be very specific about your symptoms when explaining them to a doctor or nurse. Have you ever seen the look on a doctor's face when you mention that you just feel "weird?" That's called a nonspecific symptom, which often results in not much help.
If you think you are having a heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately. Too many people call friends or relatives to take them to the hospital, thinking that will be more convenient and less embarrassing if it turns out not to be an emergency. Ambulances are equipped with medical personnel and equipment that can save your life. Studies show that people who arrive at the hospital in an ambulance tend to get care much quicker.
Once you are in the hospital, insist that the hospital staff take your symptoms seriously. Be sure they give you a thorough cardiac evaluation including an EKG or an echocardiogram and a blood test to check your enzymes. Though initial tests might show that you haven't had a heart attack, you could still be at risk. If doctors want to release you, ask if your hospital has a Chest Pain Observation Unit that you can stay in. Without being admitted, patients who are experiencing heart attack-like symptoms can stay in this ward while being monitored by hospital staff. If this isn't available, call your primary care physician and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, even if your symptoms subside.
Doctors and nurses are obviously integral to good health, but friends and relatives can be part of the equation too. I heard a woman on television the other day saying that women tend to do recreational things together like shopping, but when it comes to their health, they tend to fly solo.
Most of us don't really think to encourage each other to get routine tests, seek medical advice, or exercise and eat healthier. Perhaps it's that health is such a personal issue, that we don't feel like we should intrude. Make it a point to plan goals together or make routine tests easier by rewarding yourself afterward with something fun like lunch, shopping, or a movie. Share health articles you've read or pass along heart healthy tips. Being your own advocate doesn't mean you have to go it alone.
Renee Dexter is a feature article writer and partner in Rainmaker Publishing. She is committed to educating women about their risks for heart disease.
"I was ill-informed about my own physiology and accepted the notion that 'he's the doctor and he knows best' far too easily. Had it not been for chance and technology, my story might have remained silent forever."
Source: Stories from the Heart. WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease
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