The Beat Goes On...

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It’s February. It’s that time of cupid’s arrows, red hearts and flowers, Radiance Valentine Gift Cards, and a heart-felt reminder to take care of what is beating inside you right now.

We never let October go by without constant reminders to protect our breasts, as we should. One in four American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  However, heart disease is the number one threat to women today. February is National Heart Disease Month.

According to The Heart Foundation, women experience over half of the heart disease deaths in the US each year, totaling around 267,000. That’s six times more than the number of women who die from breast cancer. Furthermore, 8.6 million women die from heart disease every year, accounting for a third of all deaths in women. Yet, we still call this a man’s disease?

Risk Factors in Women

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome, which is a quadruple-threat of fat around your mid-section, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high triglycerides
• Stress and depression
• Low levels of estrogen after menopause
• Smoking
• Low level of physical activity

The first five of these we can address at Radiance. Make an appointment with Dr. Tamyra Comeaux to see how we can help through personalized testing and natural therapies, including bio-identical hormone pellets for both men and women. If your weight is a problem ask about Ideal Protein, our new medically developed weight loss program that can start you on a path to better heart health.

Women often don’t realize they are having a heart attack because the symptoms are different than those a man might experience. Further, it’s possible (and shameful) that they may not be taken seriously by a physician or at an emergency room, because the symptoms can be confusing and indicative of so many different things.

Symptoms particular to women

Chest pain or discomfort. This is the most common heart attack symptom, but women experience it differently than men. It may feel like a squeezing or fullness, and the pain can be anywhere in the chest, not just on the left side.

Pain in your arms, back, neck, or jaw. This type of pain is more common in women than in men. The pain can be gradual or sudden, and it may come and go.

Stomach pain. Women often mistake stomach pain with heartburn, flu, or other stomach upset. At times, women experience severe abdominal pressure.

Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness. If you’re having trouble breathing for no apparent reason, you could be having a heart attack, especially if you’re also having one or more other symptoms

Sweating. Breaking out in a nervous, cold sweat is common among women who are having a heart attack.

Fatigue. Some women feel extremely tired, even if they haven’t exerted themselves.

Let’s take a moment to think about how we can protect something we literally cannot live without.

Quit smoking. Better yet, never start!

Move. Exercise for 40 minutes 3-4 times a week.

Maintain a healthy weight. Ask us about Ideal Protein at Radiance if you need extra help.

Eat better. Just say no to saturated fat, high carb and processed foods, and salt.

De-Stress. Try yoga, meditation, prayer, nature walks, whatever works.

Sleep. Seven hours is the magic number to keep your body and mind healthy

Stay hydrated. Water is your friend.

Know your family history.  If one of your parents had heart disease, you could be at increased risk.

For more information:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

https://fighttheladykiller.org/

Thank you for making Radiance your beauty and wellness destination since 2005.

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