You At Your Best

Take care of heart your precious sPecIal tO YOu at YOur best Stephanie Parsley and her husband, Travis, were elated when they welcomed their third child, last August. The Springdale couple were less prepared when Stephanie had the first of what would be two heart attacks shortly after giving birth. On the 10th day after baby Brynne was born, Stephanie awoke to intense chest and back pain in the middle of the night. "I couldn't pinpoint where the pain was coming from, and it radiated outward toward my left shoulder," Stephanie says. "I tried to move around to alleviate the pain, but no matter what I did, the pain would not cease." As with many women, Stephanie mistook the warning signs as something else. And as the caretaker for her family, her focus was elsewhere. "As women and mothers, we tend to push our health to the back burner and put everyone else ahead of ourselves," Stephanie says. "We might be afraid to inconvenience anyone, spend the money on an ER visit, or we may think that we will be embarrassed if there is nothing wrong." Heart disease is the nation's leading killer of women. On average, 10 Arkansas women die every day from heart disease. Among women, 90% have one or more risk factors for heart disease at some point in their lives, according to American Heart Association statistics. Yet cardiovascular diseases are largely preventable. Get annual checkups It's important to get annual checkups to assess heart-health risk and take action. Be prepared to discuss any family history of heart disease or other concerns. Become knowledgeable of your key health numbers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The Association advises women to "know their numbers." For example, blood pressure of less than 120/80 is considered normal. Know the symptoms of a heart attack Women's heart attack symptoms may cover a wider spectrum compared with symptoms in men. Women may experience the "classic" heart attack symptoms of chest pressure, chest discomfort or shortness of breath, just as men do. But women also may have symptoms such as back pain, usually on the left side; shoulder pain; a fullness in the stomach; or nausea as signs of an impending heart attack. Tell your doctor if you had a pregnancy complication Recent research has focused on heart disease linked to pregnancy-related complications. Diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy as well as early delivery have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk years later. Pregnancy has become known as a stress test for the body, a possible marker for heart disease later in life. Get enough sleep Lack of sleep – getting less than six or seven hours a night – is connected to heart disease, research has shown. Poor sleep has been linked to high blood pressure, can make it difficult to lose weight and may make you less likely to want to exercise. Tame stress Chronic stress is another area of concern for women. The Association has moved this health concern to the forefront and is driving awareness of stress. It can lead to behaviors and factors that impact heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity and overeating. To cope with stress, eat healthy foods, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Consider talking to others about your stress, including a friend, parent, doctor or counselor. Find a health partner In all heart-healthy efforts, it helps to have a partner in the endeavor. Work with a health care provider to find a customized treatment plan that fits your daily life and medical needs. A friend, family member or co- worker also can be a good partner for getting physically active and sticking with a healthy eating plan. Medical professionals say it's OK if you fall off the wagon. But having a health partner helps get you back on track. As for Stephanie, she says she's learned a valuable lesson about listening to her body. "It is imperative that women seek proper medical attention at the onset of symptoms," she says. "If it weren't for my husband's insistence to go to the hospital, I might not be alive today." "as women and mothers, we tend to push our health to the back burner and put everyone else ahead of ourselves." ~ stephanie Parsley stephanie Parsley of springdale learned a valuable lesson about listening to her body. sundaY, sePtember 27, 2020 | OctOber - WOmen's HealtH nWadg.cOm/YOuatYOurbest | YOu at YOur best | 7

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