HEALTH EDUCATION
The Heart of a Woman
Heart disease is no longer a man's disease or a disease of the elderly. The rates of diagnoses and death due to coronary heart disease among women continues to rise whereas the rates for men are declining (Possibly lessening due to emphasis on prevention!).
Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in Canada, but only one in seven women is aware that heart disease and stroke are their biggest health concern (thehearthealth.ca). Seven times more women die from heart disease than from breast cancer.
Women are less likely to believe they are having a heart attack and may describe their pain/discomfort differently than men. For women, chest pain may not be the FIRST sign. Unusual tiredness (fatigue), trouble sleeping or changes in her sleep pattern, problems breathing, "indigestion" and anxiety, nausea, or headaches may plague a women up to a month before she has her heart attack. Finally chest pain or discomfort sends her to her physician or emergency room.
Recently I was sent a 3-minute video produced by Go Red for Women. The video (www.quiltred.com/index.php/2011/09/go-red-for-women-just-a-little-heart-attack/print/) tells the story about a young woman who calls 911 and says that she thinks she is having just a little heart attack. It is well worth watching! In fact the entire website is informative!
As for both sexes, receiving treatment promptly is of utmost importance! If in doubt, seek help!
Karen Li
Parish Nurse
karen54li@hotmail.com
Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally
An elevated cholesterol level is a risk factor for heart disease. Lowering your high cholesterol can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. You can lower your cholesterol by following a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol TLC (therapeutic lifestyle changes) eating plan. Less than 7% of your calories should come from saturated fat (found in meat and other animal products), and you should consume less than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day. Also avoid trans-fats (hydrogenated oils) when you cook, broil or bake, rather than fry. Cook with monosaturated fats (olive oil), which don't affect cholesterol levels.
Adding soluble fibre, found in oat bran and dried beans, can lower cholesterol. Compounds in plants called stanol esters (found in certain vegetable oils, including sunflower and soy) have been shown to block cholesterol's absorption and lower the "bad" cholesterol levels. One alcoholic drink per day may raise the "good" cholesterol by 15 to 20 percent.
Furthermore, exercising regularly can reduce triglycerides and raise the "good" cholesterol, while smoking decreases your "good" cholesterol.
Karen Li
Parish Nurse
karen54li@hotmail.com
February is Heart and Stroke Awareness Month
Coronary heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among women in Canada.
A woman's risk of heart disease increases after menopause, presumably due to hormone changes. Among the findings reported by the University of Southern California researchers was that, as men and women age, women's blood pressure increased while men's decreased. In addition, men were more successful at lowering their LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) compared to women, and more women than men had high C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that in elevated levels has been linked to heart disease (Focus on Healthy Aging, 2010, p. 4).
It is crucial to call your doctor as your symptoms start, e.g. breathlessness, extreme fatigue, pressure in the chest, a feeling of indigestion, sweating, or nausea, etc.
In the meantime, have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Eat foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, and salt, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Eat fish (e.g. cat fish, salmon, etc.) twice a week. Quit smoking, if you are a smoker.
Three Special Presentations will be held at St. Peter's soon.
Please mark these dates on your calendar and call the church office if you plan to attend.
Monday, February 6 at 1:30 p.m. - Review on Diabetes and Its Management
Monday, February 13 at 1:30 p.m. - Hypertension/Salt
All are welcome!
Women and Heart Disease
A woman's risk of heart disease increases after menopause, presumably due to hormone changes. Among the findings reported by the University of Southern California researchers was that, as men and women age, women's blood pressure increased while men's decreased. In addition, men were more successful at lowering their LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) compared to women, and more women than men had high C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that in elevated levels has been linked to heart disease (Focus on Healthy Aging, 2010, p. 4).
It is crucial to call your doctor as your symptoms start, e.g. breathlessness, extreme fatigue, pressure in the chest, a feeling of indigestion, sweating, or nausea, etc.
In the meantime, have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Eat foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, and salt, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Eat fish (e.g. cat fish, salmon, etc.) twice a week. Quit smoking, if you are a smoker.
Karen Li
Parish Nurse
karen54li@hotmail.com