1. Eat a “heart-friendly” diet.
Foods that are low sodium are a great choice for women, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Additionally, watch for trans fats, which may be listed as “partially hydrogenated oil.” No more than 1% of calories in a healthy diet should come from this man-made food stabilizer. Sugar is another heart-damaging culprit and can be disguised as fructose, sucrose, or any number of ingredients ending in “ose.”
2. Keep track of heart conditions.
High cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure can increase a woman’s risk of having a heart attack. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, these conditions must be kept in check through regular testing and preventative actions such as lowering stress and avoiding foods that can exacerbate symptoms. Women taking medications should continue to do so under a doctor’s care.
3. Understand aspirin.
Marla Ahlgrimm says aspirin can be a valuable tool for some people to help prevent strokes or heart attacks. Since it is not right for everyone, however, women considering an aspirin regimen should talk to their doctors first to help determine how much, how often, and for how long to supplement with this blood-thinning anti-inflammatory NSAID.
4. Become familiar with the signs of a heart attack.
A heart attack can, and very often does, affect women differently than men. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that chest pain, while the most common indicator for males, isn’t always the initial symptom displayed in women. Women may experience cold sweats, sudden fatigue, nausea, or difficulty breathing, in addition to chest discomfort and upper body pain and weakness.
