If you are one of the millions of Americans with coronary artery disease, adopting an exercise program could help lower your risk factors. This February marks “Go Red For Women,”an effort to raise awareness about women and heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, “Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America.” Worldwide statistics according to WomensHeart.org include, “8.6 million women dying from heart disease each year, accounting for a third of all deaths in women.”
Here in America, the site tracked, “267,000 women dying each year from heart attacks, with another 31,837 women dying each year of congestive heart failure, representing 62.6-percent of all heart failure deaths.”
An even more daunting statistic is the mortality rate of women to men, “Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen.”
According to the American Heart Association, “Heart disease – also called cardiovascular disease – is a simple term used to describe several problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow and creating a risk for heart attack or stroke.”
The good news is that through exercise we can take control and not become a rising statistic in this epidemic, but it does involve physical effort.
The American Heart Association said our lifestyle could play a role in our inactivity which contributes to heart disease. “It is more difficult today to create an active lifestyle. People are less active due to technology and better mass transportation.”
Ladies, we should take the suggestions of the AHA and start walking to prevent heart disease. “Studies show that for every hour of walking, life expectancy may increase by two hours.”
While the statistics may seem overwhelming, there is hope that walking or increasing your mobility gives you the power to control your risk factors. Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease.
The AHA suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise. That breaks down, according to the AHA to 30 minutes a day, five times a week. If you are unable to sustain that level it also okay to break it down into ten or fifteen minute intervals throughout the day.
As always, it is important to consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. It is my experience as a trainer in seeing tremendous improvement when someone begins exercising while also consulting with a physician.
With proper training and monitoring, you will not only decrease your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you’ll improve all aspects of your life.
Sources:
“Go Red For Women – Heart.org.” Amercian Heart Association. Web 7 Feb. 2012.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG
“Women and Heart Disease Facts, WomensHeart.org.” Women’s Heart Foundation. Web 7 Feb. 2012.
http://www.womensheart.org/content/heartdisease/heart_disease_facts.asp
“American Heart Association Guidelines– Heart.org.” Amercian Heart Association. Web 7 Feb. 2012.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/American-Heart-Association-Guidelines_UCM_307976_Article.jsp#.TzEbNMWi2uI
“Get Moving. Where do I start? – Heart.org.” Amercian Heart Association. Web 7 Feb. 2012.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/Get-moving-Where-do-I-start_UCM_307978_Article.jsp#.TzEbrcWi2uI
“The Price of Inactivity – Heart.org.” Amercian Heart Association. Web 7 Feb. 2012.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/The-Price-of-Inactivity_UCM_307974_Article.jsp#.TzEcB8Wi2uI
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed February 7, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith