Facts About Hearth Health

Last week we wrote an article about some of the myths surrounding Heart Health. Some of those myths may have been surprising to some of you, but perhaps others may already have known about these myths.

In this article we will look at some of the Facts About Hearth Health, and yes, you may also find some of them to be quite surprising.

Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer.

Fact. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. One in three women die of heart disease, while one in 31 die of breast cancer.

Jaw or back pain could be a sign of a heart attack.

Fact. Although the most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, it’s not always one of the symptoms. You might have shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or feel lightheaded. Sometimes women especially could have pain or discomfort in other parts of the body — like the back or jaw.

Fiber can lower your cholesterol.

Fact. Fiber comes from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans and other legumes. As part of a healthy diet, it can help lower your cholesterol and may lessen your chances of getting heart disease. The best foods for fiber are oats, some fruits and veggies (like raspberries and peas), and dried beans. You can also take supplements. But getting fiber through food is usually a better choice because you also get all the great nutrients that come with them.

Eat fish at least twice a week for a healthy heart.

Fact. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish — especially fatty fish like salmon and mackerel —  at least two times each week. Fish is a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, plus it’s not high in unhealthy saturated fat. If you don’t like fish, talk to your doctor about taking omega 3 supplements.

Cut your salt and cut your heart risk.

Fact. High-sodium diets have been tied to high blood pressure, as well as heart disease and stroke. So stash the salt shaker, but know that sodium comes mostly from processed foods and restaurants foods — not the salt shaker. When reading food labels, know that adults shouldn’t have more than 1,500 milligram of sodium each day.

Low-dose aspirin can help you avoid another heart attack.

Fact. The American Heart Association recommends you take a daily low-dose aspirin if you’re at high risk of a heart attack or if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin helps prevent blood clots, and clots cause most heart attacks and some strokes. But don’t take it without talking to your doctor first as Aspirin is a medication and you should always seek professional medical opinion before using any new medicines.

So, now that you have been presented with both sides of the coin – Myths and Facts About Hearth Health – you will be able to make better informed decisions pertaining to your lifestyle, diet, and other choices. It is always better to be as informed as possible and take the right measures to ensure that we live full, healthy lives. By following some of the tips above you will be able to make some healthy changes without too much effort, but the rewards will certainly pay off for you in the long run.