Turn red for good health

The month is all about love, and there’s no better way to say I love you than to share heart-healthy ideas with friends, family, and loved ones. For so many years, when the topic was heart health, most of the information was based on what the medical profession knew about men and their heart health. Fortunately, health professionals have revised their perspective, and research and data on women are now available. We have learned that it is important for women to know the risk factors.

Now I wish I could say that it’s all about the medical information, but as you know, you can often get women’s attention when you combine theme with fashion. We’ve all heard of Go Red for Women, ® the designated day each February when people are encouraged to wear red to highlight the importance of healthy hearts for women. This month I encourage you to go red, add some zing, and put that hot color on your menu all year long.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US One in four women in this country die from heart disease. Risk factors that contribute to heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Although these factors affect both genders, several factors can affect women’s heart health more than men’s. Factors that may play a role in the development of heart disease in women include:

• The combination of fat around your abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides.

• Mental stress and depression. Depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle and adhere to treatment. So talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression.

• Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than in men.

• Low estrogen levels after menopause can increase a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the smallest blood vessels.

Women are often the caregivers, but in reality we often overlook giving ourselves the attention we need. Each of the above risk factors can be reduced by making lifestyle changes. By adding and prioritizing regular exercise to the daily or weekly routine, women can help reduce fat around the abdomen, lower blood pressure, depression, and stress. Adding a healthy lifestyle activity can pay off by reducing at least four risk factors. Now that’s a high heeled step in the right direction.

Quitting smoking is a must and the benefits start immediately. After 20 minutes, blood pressure drops, after eight hours, blood oxygen levels increase, and after 24 hours the chance of a heart attack decreases. Within 48 hours, the ability to taste and smell is enhanced, adding to greater enjoyment of the taste and texture of good-for-you foods.

Stock up on colorful red fruits and vegetables. By increasing the amount of produce in your daily diet, you can maximize nutrients, increase antioxidants and fiber, all recognized options for a healthy lifestyle. Options include red beets, pomegranates, red cabbage, red grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, red apples, red grapes, tomatoes, red currants, dried cranberries, and cherries. Add red to the menu and look for the bold color in the freezer, in the produce section, and on the grocery store shelves.

Now changing your lifestyle is not limited to women, this is a change that is good for the whole family.