things you may not know about heart health

1. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women

But according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, only one in eight women are aware of this. Heart disease was once thought of as a “man’s disease,” but it’s quickly becoming apparent that this isn’t the case. “The risk factors for women and men are [similar],” explains Dr. Beth Abramson, a cardiologist at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital. “They include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history of heart disease.” However, women have some unique risks, including pregnancy and menopause. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, most Canadian women have at least one risk factor for heart disease.

2. 50-80 % of heart disease is preventable

“It’s never too late, or too early, to make a lifestyle change,” says Dr. Abramson. “Much of heart disease can be avoided by controlling risk factors.” This includes having your blood pressure assessed by a medical professional. “People think they can feel their own blood pressure, but this isn’t the case,” says Dr. Abramson. Speak to your doctor if you have any blood-pressure concerns. Even if you don't have any apparent risk factors, it’s important to know the warning signs of heart attacks and stroke.
You can also make lifestyle changes to lower your risk. Eat a healthy diet, limit your alcohol consumption, don’t smoke, take steps to lower your cholesterol and manage your weight, especially if you carry extra pounds around your belly, which can put you at an even higher risk for heart disease. Aim to exercise at least three times a week, Abramson recommends, and try to reduce your stress levels.

3. Pregnancy and childbirth can increase a woman’s chance of having a stroke

Most pregnant women in Canada are closely monitored for blood pressure changes and other pregnancy- related health risks. Strokes associated with pregnancy and childbirth are usually the result of an underlying problem, like a pre-existing blood vessel malformation or eclampsia. If you have or suspect you have either of these conditions, speak to your doctor about it before you conceived or immediately after finding out you’re pregnant. The risk of a pregnancy-related stroke is greatest in the six weeks following childbirth, so don’t skip post-natal appointments. Gestational diabetes can also contribute to heart-health issues during pregnancy, so get assessed for that, too.

4. Hormonal birth control can increase some women’s risk for heart disease

Contraceptives like the Pill, the patch and the NuvaRing are generally safe for most women. But those who smoke while using hormonal contraceptives put themselves at high risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and blood clots. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about safest form of birth control for you. And get help to kick that habit. Click through to learn how one Best Health reader found the inspiration to butt out for good.

5. Women’s risk for heart disease rises after menopause

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During the transition to menopause, which usually occurs around the age of 51, the ovaries stop the producing the heart-protecting hormone estrogen. Also, menopausal women may experience an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels, and a decrease in HDL (good cholesterol). Reduced estrogen levels can also increase body fat around the waist. “It’s the way the body handles fat across the belly that’s the problem,” says Dr. Abramson. “Belly fat is associated with more inflammation and higher cholesterol.”

Hormone changes can also have harmful effects on the way blood clots, and affect the way the body handles sugar, which can lead to diabetes. Hormone therapy is a potential solution to this for some women, but speak to your doctor and weigh the risks and benefits. Post-menopausal women also need to manage lifestyle risk factors. “As always, it’s important to get into the right habits,” says Dr. Abramson. “Exercise, eat a heart-healthy diet following Canada’s Food Guide, and limit alcohol consumption.”

6. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect your chances of getting heart disease

Drinking too much of any kind of alcohol raises blood pressure and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. You may be surprised to learn that excessive alcohol consumption for women is classified as anything more than two drinks a day, and anything more than nine drinks per week. “There have been studies that show that moderate alcohol consumption can have a slight protective effect against heart disease,” says Dr. Abramson. “But most of those studies have been done on people who are already fit, and we don’t recommend starting to drink if you don’t already.”

The bottom line is that it’s best to drink in moderation, or not at all. There are other ways to get the antioxidant benefits certain types of alcohol may provide. If you do choose to drink now and then, try these antioxidant-rich cocktails—and always toast to your good heart health!