6 Ways Women Can Lower Their Risk for Heart Disease

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Heart Truth®. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you know what the #1 killer of women in the United States is? It isn’t cancer. It’s heart disease. Of the women who died in 2013 (the latest data available), one in four women in the U.S. died of heart disease. It’s sad but true.

The thing about heart disease is that there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. I’m all too familiar with heart disease because it runs in my family. My father has had two heart attacks and currently has a stent to help his blood flow properly. It’s basically what’s keeping him alive.

Because of my family history, I have been taking steps to reduce my risk. Right now this includes eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. But I know there's more to it than diet and exercise alone. I've talked to my doctor and have come up with a game plan to help reduce my risks— Here's some of the info she shared with me.

6 Ways Women Can Lower Their Risk for Heart Disease.

Control Blood Pressure – High blood pressure can largely contribute to heart disease. Talk to your doctor about things you can do to naturally lower blood pressure, and consider medication if advised.

Lower Cholesterol – Make sure you’re getting a yearly physical with blood work to keep track of your cholesterol. If it’s high, remove trans fats from your diet, increase fiber and add foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Once again you should talk to your doctor about additional ways to lower cholesterol.

Quit Smoking – Besides being a terrible habit, smoking is a direct link to heart disease as well as a host of other illnesses.

Lose Weight – Women with BMI’s greater than 25 have an increased risk for heart disease. Take steps to lose weight healthfully to get into the normal range for your height and weight.

Get Active – It’s suggested to get a minimum of 2.5 hours of physical activity per week to help lower the risk for heart disease. Aim for at least 45 minutes of activity 5 days a week.

Eat Healthier – This one is a no-brainer. Your diet plays a major role in your health, and should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

Age also plays a role for heart disease, with women over 55 at the greatest risk. It’s been shown that 80% of women 40-60 have one or more risk factors for heart disease.

For more than a decade, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) The Heart Truth® program has worked to raise awareness about women’s risk factors for heart disease and the steps they need to make to lead a heart healthy life.

This February, for American Heart Month, The Heart Truth is launching a new initiative designed to move women from heart disease awareness to preventive action. The initiative, #FromTheHeart, will take place across The Heart Truth’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest) and feature sharable motivational graphics.

I will be participating in the #FromTheHeart campaign to help spread awareness about heart disease in women, with my mission beginning at home. I have a sister who is 9 years younger, and I'm positive she isn't familiar with the steps she can take to prevent heart disease. I'm hoping that if we start living healthier, more active lives together, we can be an example for our own daughters.

Gifts from the Heart

One of the gifts that I'm going to share from the heart with my sister is healthy meals. I think it would be great to get together once a month to plan and prepare 10 or 15 freezer meals. The goal will be quick and easy heart healthy dinners with lean protein and lots of veggies. This will help us both stay on track and provide delicious meals for our families.