Did you know that 87% of all heart issues are believed to be preventable?2 Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement that advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. This day is crucial as it raises awareness, educates and brings about resources on women’s heart disease and stroke risks.
Women & Heart Disease Facts7
90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease or stroke.
80% of heart disease and stroke events can be prevented by education and lifestyle change.
Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
Only 54% of women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer.
Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease & Stroke
Cardiovascular disease is the number one health related killer in women as it causes 1 in 3 deaths in women every year.2 Cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.
Diet and exercise: A healthy diet and physical activity can reduce your chances of heart disease by as much as 80 percent.2
Know your risk: Factors like smoking, kidney disease and family history can increase your risk. If you are 40-75 years old, use Check. Change. Control. Calculator. (ccctracker.com) to evaluate your risk. It only takes five minutes.3
Stop smoking: It puts you at a higher risk. For help on quitting visit: 5 Steps to Quit Smoking and Vaping | American Heart Association
Control alcohol use
Know your cholesterol levels6
Reduce your blood sugar6
Manage blood pressure: If it is higher that 140 over 90, seek treatment.
Recognize Stoke Symptoms
The American Stoke Association has developed an acronym called F.A.S.T. to help patients recognize symptoms:4
F = Face drooping, is it drooping or numb?
A = Arm weakness, when lifting your arms does one drape down?
S = Speech, is it slurred?
T = Time to call 9-1-1, if any of these symptoms occur.
Knowing this acronym just might help you save a life. Additionally, there are stroke symptoms that are specific to women. These symptoms include:5
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Recognize Heart Attack Symptoms
These heart attack symptoms are also specific to women:
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs such as 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.
Tria Health Helps Control Heart Disease
Tria Health offers Chronic Condition Management through our Pharmacy Advocate Program. Heart Disease and stroke are two of the many chronic conditions that Tria Health targets. Clinical Pharmacists provide one-on-one telephonic counseling for members and act as their personal advocate to help them navigate through the health care system. Through reviewing a member’s medications and lifestyle habits, Tria Pharmacists can make recommendations that will help control their chronic conditions and help them feel better!
Questions?
Call the Tria Health Help Desk at 1.888.799.8742
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