Action saves lives when it comes to heart disease – Buffalo News

Heart disease doesn't just strike older men. Its the No. 1 killer for men and women in the U.S. and this region. Stroke is No. 3 in the region. Heres what you can do to protect your cardiovascular health.

Get screened: Ask your primary care provider to start related screenings by age 25.

Know your numbers: Five personal health indicators help determine risk: Total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index.

Know your risks: Talk with loved ones about your family history and talk to your doctor about heart disease.

Wellness counts: About 80% of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented. Quit or don't start smoking. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a diet that includes whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, low- or fat-free dairy products, and lean, unprocessed meats. Avoid saturated or trans fats, added sugars, and high amounts of salt.

Know the symptoms: The most common heart attack symptom is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest but it is not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women. Sometimes, women have a heart attack without chest pain. Women are more likely than men to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms, nausea or vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness, unusual fatigue.

Go Red For Women: This campaign began 15 years ago to raise awareness and provide equal health care access for women when it comes to their greatest health threat: heart disease. The campaign encourages all to participate in National Wear Red Day, which takes place this year on Friday, Feb. 7. Women in the region willing to share their stories, and raise awareness and money for lifesaving research, are encouraged to attend the Buffalo Go Red for Women Luncheon on Feb. 14 in the Lexus Club at KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. Tickets cost $100; register at goredbuffalo.heart.org.

Source: American Heart Association

Two sisters, one near-death experience, and a warning about heart disease

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Action saves lives when it comes to heart disease - Buffalo News