This section will feature health articles that are too lengthy to appear in the Parish Bulletin.
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Women and Heart Disease
Every minute a woman dies of cardiovascular disease in the United States. Smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and physical inactivity significantly contribute to this disease. Often times, women delay in seeking treatment for themselves because the symptoms that present are much different than their male counterparts. In an acute episode, men typically present with severe radiating substernal pain, nausea, and sweating. A woman’s presentation is often characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, epigastric pressure, nausea, vomiting, numbness of the arms, and/or jaw pain. Given that chest pain is considered a hallmark of her disease, women who do not experience chest pain may fail to recognize the seriousness of their symptoms, delay seeking medical treatment, or be misdiagnosed once they arrive at the hospital for treatment.
Screening for risk factors for heart disease should be included in the annual physical examinations of women, and guidelines to address the risk factors should be incorporated into practice. In the meantime, women can be aware of their risk factors and attempt to make changes in their habits by eating a well balanced diet, increasing exercise, talking to friends and praying. If you haven’t exercised in a while, first see your Doctor before beginning any program.
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health 9/2008
Brought to you by St. Dorothy Parish Nurse Ministry
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