Women warned to know their heart health

A mother's love is said to be at the heart of the home.

But taking care of their own heart health and recognizing both risk and warning signs isn't necessarily a top priority for most busy moms.

“Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, yet as family caregivers, it seems women don't often think of themselves first,” said Dr. Agnieszka J. Silbert, medical director of the Women's Heart Center at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin. “Most young moms don't recognize their own cardiac risk and don't understand how important it is to heed cardiac warning signs.”

Women of all ages, even young moms, can and do have heart attacks, explained Silbert, a board-certified cardiologist, who says many women don't exhibit the classic Hollywood chest-gripping heart attack.

“Knowing the warning signs and making everyday choices for heart health can mean the difference between life and death, especially for women,' she said. “Women don't always suffer the classic chest pain that grips the chest and spreads to the arms and jaw. Some may, but others simply dismiss important cardiac warning signs such as feeling fatigued, having shortness of breath during activity, becoming nauseous or dizzy while exercising or having vague musculoskeletal discomfort.”

Is it anxiety? A panic attack? Heart attack?Better safe than sorry is the rule of thumb, according to Silbert, who said women need to heed warning signs and seek immediate medical expertise.#8220;The only way to distinguish impending heart attack in many women is by having an EKG, checking cardiac enzymes and having a stress test,#8221; said Silbert, who encourages young women to head to the emergency room for immediate evaluation of potential cardiac warning signs. #8220;There is no way to tell if it's a heart attack or something like stress, anxiety or another problem at the root of concern without appropriate evaluation and testing.#8221;A warning to young momsExperts say young moms should pay special attention to modifiable risk factors and start to implement heart healthy activities, stop smoking and eat nutritious heart healthy foods now.#8220;Women are well-versed in understanding the need for an annual mammogram, but few are aware of the need for having blood lipids levels, blood pressure checks and a complete cardiovascular profile every year,#8221; said Silbert, who added it is vital for every woman, even young moms, to know their cardiac numbers.Despite awareness-raising efforts like the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, experts say there's still a disconnect for women in their 20s and 30s, who may know that heart disease is the leading cause of death but don't have the tools and support they need to take steps to reduce individual risk.Prevention, according to the experts, must happen early, often and over many years. Claudia Alvarez, 33, a West suburban Montgomery mother of four, said she follows in her mother's footsteps when it comes to her own health. As a young mom with Type 2 diabetes who is slightly overweight and has high blood pressure and an underactive thyroid, Alvarez also is at increased risk for cardiac disease.#8220;I've tried to lose weight, but never really knew how to follow through on a weight loss plan,#8221; admits Alvarez, a hospital billing and insurance agent whose three daughters and a son range from age 6 to 13.One of several women participating in the BetterU Makeover Challenge at Provena Joseph Hospital, Elgin and Provena Mercy Medical Center, Aurora, Alvarez says she is learning to make incremental changes that pack a big punch in terms of cardiac health.By assessing what she can do to both live and eat more healthily, Alvarez hopes during the 12-week intensive program to dramatically reduce her risk of heart disease and other heart problems.#8220;Even incremental changes in diet and exercise can make a huge impact on heart health and prevent diseases like diabetes,#8221; said Alvarez, who says she's already learned practical weight management tips and how to incorporate increased physical activity into her life.According to Silbert, women like Alvarez are on target and need to take heed of their heart health, paying close attention to risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes (especially among women) and metabolic syndrome #8212; a combination of high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure and being overweight.#8220;Things like increasing activity, kicking the cigarette habit and preparing healthy nutritional foods can go a long way in modifying individual risk factors and preventing heart disease,#8221; she said.Studies show more than one in five women have some form of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease claims more than 461,000 female lives each year, almost as many lives as the next five leading causes of death combined. #8220;Knowing the warning signs and making everyday choices for heart health can mean the difference between life and death, especially for women,#8221; said Silbert, who encourages early prevention efforts to prevent future cardiac problems. 24043600Some young mothers may feel too busy to take care of their own health, but doctors say they need to pay attention to their cardiac numbers such as blood pressure and blood lipid levels. 25753869An EKG is one tool doctors will use to assess heart health. 31563156If a woman wonders whether sheÂ’s having anxiety or heart trouble, the only way to know for sure is to get examined by a doctor.