Women’s Health Week – Day 3
Each day this week we will be covering a different aspect of Women’s Health. Women’s Health Week is a great reminder to take time out to check on your own health and continue to make positive lifelong changes. Today we look at Cardiovascular Disease and how to lower your risk factors.
Day 3 – Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease is often associated with Men’s Health, however it kills twice as many women as breast cancer, and 40% of heart attacks are fatal in women. There are three main types of Cardiovascular Disease:
- Stroke
- Heart Failure
- Coronary Heart Disease
More women die of Coronary Heart Disease than men, and risk significantly increases around menopause.
There are many factors that increase the risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease. Some of these, such as age and family history can’t be controlled. However, there are a number of risk factors that can be impacted through lifestyle. These include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Being overweight
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Depression
What can you do to lower your risk?
Eat a healthy diet
A poor diet can contribute to weight gain, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. A healthy diet can lower your risk of heart disease. There is also the added benefit of lowering the risk of diabetes and bowel cancer. A healthy diet can also help you feel good and improve your mental health.
Keep active
Excess weight, especially around the stomach area, increases a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise of 30 minutes per day can help reduce your risk , as well as other chronic conditions.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of Cardiovascular Disease. Just a few cigarettes a day can damage the blood vessels. By quitting smoking you will drastically reduce your risk.
Regular health checks
It is important to regularly visit your doctor and be screened for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), diabetes and obesity all contribute to Cardiovascular Disease, so it is important to work out a management plan with your doctor.
Managing depression
Research is shown that having depression can lead to an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease. If you suffer from depression, it is extremely important to continue with the treatment plan outlined by your health team.
If you have any questions about how you can lower your risk, O’Connell St Clinic has doctors who are specifically interested in Women’s Health. To book an appointment, call our reception team on (02) 9241 1577, or click here.
Check back tomorrow for our next topic – Mental & Emotional Well-being.
Resources
https://www.heartresearch.com.au/heart-disease/women-and-heart-disease/
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/cardiovascular-health
