Last week, we wanted to educate and raise awareness to heart disease, the #1 cause of death in the United States. If you missed our blog, we touched on causes, risk factors, symptoms, and even complications. If nothing else, please make sure you are aware of heart disease symptoms and speak with your physician regularly about any changes in your body. Being aware of your body and reporting those changes are the most important things you can do to stay vigilant about your health. Here's some information to help you prepare before going to speak with your physician.

• Write down symptoms you’re experiencing (even those that may seem unrelated to heart disease).

• Write down key personal information such as family history of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and major stressors in life or recent life changes.

• Discuss your diet, smoking, and exercise habits.

• Make a list of all medications (whether prescription or vitamin). Your physician may be unaware of what another specialist has prescribed you.

• Bring someone with you to your appointment. They can help you ask questions and remember the information you’ve been given.

• Write down any and all questions to ask your doctor.

While treatment for heart disease can vary by type or condition, it's never too late to make healthy lifestyle changes. Some risk factors you can’t do anything about, but others you can treat, manage and control by quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and becoming more physically active. These are primary lines of defense against heart disease and its complications. Other treatments and preventative tips can include:

• Lifestyle changes

• Diet

• Exercise

• Maintain healthy weight

• Quitting smoking

• Limiting alcohol intake

• Manage stress

• Manage depression

• Practice good hygiene

• Medications

• Control blood pressure

• Control cholesterol

• Control diabetes

• Medical procedures or surgery

We are never here to diagnose, but only to provide the information we know. Always speak to your physician about any concerns. For more information on women and heart disease, visit the following Web sites—

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health

• American Heart Association

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Source: https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-heart-disease-women-go-red-women-official-site/about-heart-disease-in-women/