Every minute, someone's mother, daughter, wife or sister dies from heart disease and stroke in the United States. Reducing these diseases in women must become a national priority! (www.americanheart.org)
A healthy heart starts with education and behavior change.

Heart Attack/Coronary Heart Disease Risk
Do you have one or more of these controllable risk factors?
• smoking
• high blood pressure
• high blood cholesterol
• diabetes
• being overweight or obese
• physical inactivity
• metabolic syndrome

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Some people may have a group of risk factors that greatly increase their chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke, and diabetes. The clinical identification of metabolic syndrome is based on the following risk factors:
• a large waist circumference (abdominal obesity)
• raised blood pressure
• high fasting blood glucose
• abnormal blood fats: high triglycerides and/or low HDL (good) cholesterol
The safest and best way to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome is to make healthy changes in your habits: lose weight, increase physical activity levels and eat right. Medicine may also help some people. Also, don’t smoke. Smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (http://www.americanheart.org)

Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness
Studies show that people who consume fruits and vegetables daily lower their risk for heart disease up to 40%. The vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables work together to protect against not only heart disease, but diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.
Forming healthful eating habits that include a variety of fruits and vegetables, high fiber and low fat proteins such as chicken will have a positive impact on your health. MyPyramid.gov has an interactive chart that outlines the recommended amount of servings in each category for various ages.

Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking and many other activities can help your heart. All physical activity is beneficial for a healthy heart, whether it is a structured exercise program or your daily routine. 30 minutes of moderately intense activity five days a week is the recommendation for healthy adults. There may be limitations that affect your exercise routine so see your primary care provider before beginning any exercise. (www.nih.gov)

Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1. (http://www.americanheart.org)