A common symptom in women is early warning of a heart attack
Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of heart attack
Key Points
A recent study revealed that nearly 40 percent of women experience sudden symptoms in the weeks leading up to a heart attack.
According to a study published in the journal Circulation, the five most common symptoms reported by women in the month preceding infection were:
- Abnormal pressure.
- Sleep disorders
- shortness of breath
- indigestion
- worry
During the heart attack, the woman reported:
- shortness of breath
- General weakness
- Abnormal pressure.
- cold sweat
- Dizziness
What you can do to reduce the risk
Nurse Ruth Goss of the British Heart Foundation says there is a lot we can all do to reduce our risk of heart disease.
Maintain a healthy weight.
- improves heart and circulatory health.
- Make small, achievable, long-term changes like reducing portion sizes and increasing your physical activity.
Movement:
- Getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week is important for your heart’s health.
- Activity can be brisk walking, gardening, cycling, or playing sports.
Blood pressure management:
If you have high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing salt and alcohol, maintaining physical activity, and taking prescribed medications are essential.
Cholesterol Management:
“Bad” cholesterol increases your risk of heart or circulatory disease.
Limiting the amount of saturated fat you eat, being more active, and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you manage your cholesterol levels.
Quit smoking:
Quitting smoking is the single biggest thing you can do to help your heart.
Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack as non-smokers.
