February 1st is Go Red for Women Day! Brought to us all by The American Heart Association, Go Red for Women Day serves as a reminder for women to be committed to living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Go Red For Women is about being devoted to health as a priority. We know that women are pulled in all different directions, often taking care of everyone else around them before themselves! Go Red for Women is a reminder to all women to make their health as important as the health of those around them!
What is the Risk?
The stats around Heart Disease in Women are completely staggering. Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year? On average, those numbers mean that a woman dies every minute!
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions regarding heart disease and women; the Go Red for Women campaign advocates for more research and action regarding women and heart disease. All women are different and therefore will experience varying warning signs and symptoms when it comes to heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease can cause both a heart attack and a stroke, and while there is no telling which one will strike and when there are multiple signs and symptoms one can be looking out for:
Heart Attack Symptoms
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Symptoms of Stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately!
How to Get and Stay Healthy
The best preventative measures against cardiovascular disease is a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. At Thuasne USA, we offer prescription braces for many types of injuries and ailments. From professional athletes to those who are just getting started on their physical health journey. Our braces are created specifically to reduce pain and increase the quality of life, they are designed for active recovery or to prevent injury.
Based on success stories of our braces, here are some great fitness exercises you can do to get in shape, stay in shape, or try something new:
- Go on a moderate hike with a good friend
- Ride a bike to a local coffee shop or eatery
- Power walk in the park
- Interval jogging in your neighborhood
- Easy weight lifting in the gym
- Group games such as soccer, basketball or volleyball
- Golf
- Yoga, TaiChi or Pilates
Sometimes trying a new exercise is the perfect way to get out of a rut and re-invigorate a desire to stay healthy for the long haul. All of the above exercises can be done on rotation to help keep your exercise routine fresh! In addition, one of the best motivations we can give ourselves is that exercise is not just for lean muscles or weight loss. While this is, of course, a great benefit from exercising, the real benefits you are gaining are long-term. Exercise gives you a strong a healthy heart, releases endorphins to boost your mood, and is a great stress reliever! Lastly, if you are injured, don’t let that get in the way! Talk to your doctor about our prescription braces so you can keep your commitment to health while your body is healing.
