Prioritizing heart health for women

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States? Women have unique heart risks and rarely show symptoms of heart disease. For many women, their first symptom is a heart attack. Our San Antonio OBGYNs prioritize heart health for women because a healthy heart is essential to your overall health throughout your life, not just when you’re older. It helps you manage stress, stay active, and reduce your risk of developing other medical conditions. How can a woman improve her heart health? Our doctors encourage you to follow their list of essential women’s heart health tips.

Five essential women’s heart health tips

1. Exercise yields many benefits for your heart
One of the best things you can do for your heart health is exercise. A recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress, all of which benefit your heart.

Make small changes to your daily routine, such as parking farther from the store entrance or taking the stairs, to increase your movement and give your heart a little boost.

2. What you eat and drink really matters
Your diet has a significant impact on your overall health and is especially important in heart health for women. A heart-healthy diet consists of whole foods like vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins. Reduce processed foods and those with excess sugar, and eliminate sugary drinks. A healthy diet helps manage your weight, lower cholesterol and control blood sugars, all of which reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Cut out the bad stuff
Smoking will damage your heart. If you smoke, talk to your OBGYN about support for quitting. Stopping smoking is essential to protecting heart health for women.

Alcohol is also associated with heart disease. If you drink alcohol, consume no more than four drinks per week.

4. Prioritize mental health and manage stress
Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, heart rate and inflammation, all of which can lead to heart disease. Adding simple activities can reduce stress and improve your overall mental state. Walking, being outside, listening to music, and deep breathing can calm your nervous system. Other stress-relieving activities include yoga, meditation, and talking with a friend. Getting quality sleep also improves stress management.

5. Know your numbers
Regular health screenings with your doctor provide valuable information about your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood sugar levels. Not only can screenings identify potential problems, but they also help set healthy goals. Work with your OBGYN to determine healthy goals and how you can achieve them.

We support good heart health for women

Following these women’s heart health tips can reduce your risk of heart disease, improve your overall health, and probably make you feel better. Our San Antonio OBGYNs are dedicated to improving heart health for women and helping you reduce your risk of heart disease. Contact Legacy Women’s Health for an appointment.