Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Heart disease is a group of diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system in the heart. Coronary artery disease, the most common type, affects the blood vessels of the heart. It can cause angina (an-JEYE-nuh) or a heart attack. Angina is a pain in the chest that happens when the heart does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Having angina means you're more likely to have a heart attack. A heart attack happens when a clot mostly or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle.
Signs of a heart attack:
Chest discomfort — pressure, squeezing, or pain
Shortness of breath
Discomfort in the upper body — arms, shoulder, neck, back
If you think you are having a heart attack, you must act quickly to prevent disability or death. Wait no more than a few minutes — five at most — before calling 911.
Like all women, Latinas are at risk of heart disease. Together with stroke, heart disease accounts for a third of all deaths among Latinas. Latinas have high rates of diabetes, overweight, and obesity, which are factors that increase heart disease risk. What's more, compared to non-Hispanic white and black women, Latinas are less likely to be physically active, which also raises heart disease risk.
You have the power to fight heart disease! Read on for some tips to keep your heart healthy.
Keep a healthy weight.
Make physical activity a habit. Health benefits are gained by doing the following each week:
2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or
1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or
A combination of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity and
Muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week
Eat heart-healthy foods. Eat whole-grain foods, vegetables, and fruit. Choose lean meats and low-fat cheese and dairy products. Limit foods that have lots of saturated fat, like butter, whole milk, baked goods, ice cream, fatty meats, and cheese.
Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and blood glucose (sugar). Follow your doctor's orders to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels under control.
Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
Enfermedades cardíacas hoja de datos - Esta publicación discute el asunto de salud acerca de las enfermedades cardiacas y cardiovasculares. También explique los diferentes tipos de enfermedades cardiovasculares, riesgos y factores que afectan enfermedades cardiovasculares.
Haga la llamada, no pierdas el ritmo - No todas las mujeres experimentan incomodidad en el pecho u otros síntomas comunes durante un ataque cardiaco. Use este sitio Web para aprender más sobre el ataque cardiaco en mujeres y para saber qué hacer si detecta tener estos síntomas de un ataque al corazón.
Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat - Not all women have chest discomfort or other common symptoms during their heart attack. Use this website to learn more about the symptoms of a heart attack in women and what to do if you think you are experiencing a heart attack.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/
Explore other publications and websites
Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs - This easy-to-read brochure covers the steps you can take to help someone survive a heart attack. It lists heart attack warning signs and common reasons people may delay in seeking care. It dispels a common misunderstanding about the "movie heart attack"; outlines the steps in making a heart attack survival plan; describes who is at risk for a heart attack; and gives sources of further information. As a handy reference, the back panel features a tear-off card with space to record essential medical information.
Actúe rápido frente a los síntomas de un ataque al corazón - Este folleto es fácil de leer y contiene información básica acerca de las acciones a tomar en caso de un ataque al corazón. Incluye una lista de los síntomas y las excusas más comunes para demorar la búsqueda de asistencia médica.
Espasmo de la arteria coronaria - Esta publicación ofrece información acerca el espasmo de la arteria coronaria. Asimismo menciona los síntomas, los signos y exámenes, el tratamiento, complicaciones e información sobre la prevención.
Te lo decimos de corazón - Este folleto contiene información acerca del corazón de la mujer. Le explica el plan de acción para mantenerse saludable. También le informa sobre las diferentes enfermedades del corazón y explica cuáles son las preguntas que uno le debe hacer a su médico.
The Heart Truth for Latinas: An Action Plan - This one-page patient handout gives the facts about heart disease, the #1 killer in the US Latino community, and offers guidance on how to live a healthier lifestyle. It also includes sources of additional information specifically for Latinas and is available in Spanish or English.
La verdad acerca del corazón de la mujer - Este folleto es una pieza clave en la campaña nacional "La Verdad Acerca del Corazón creada por el Instituto Nacional del Corazón los Pulmones y la Sangre (NHLBI, por sus siglas en inglés) para educar a las mujeres acerca de las enfermedades del corazón. El folleto contiene testimonios de mujeres que han sufrido enfermedades del corazón y provee información acerca de los factores de riesgo y también contiene una lista de preguntas que deberías hacerle a su medico.
A federal government website managed by the
Office on Women's Health
in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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