Feb 9, 2005 By Jacquie Albert 3 min read

There’s still time to be heart healthy in choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. How about carrot sticks?

Or sugar-free gum?

Strange choices?

Sure, but they are less likely to promote heart problems than the typical five-pound box of chocolates.

It’s vital to remember that heart problems are a women’s disease, too. Many people tend to think of men as being more likely to suffer heart attacks. According to recent statistics, each year 236,000 women die from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for females.

Yet, a recent survey by the American Heart Association revealed that only 34 percent of women identify heart disease as the primary cause of death for women, and a mere 8 percent view heart disease as their greatest personal health threat.

Why are women so ill-informed?

“Statistically, women typically develop heart disease 10 years later than men, but it can happen to younger women,” says Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., past president of the American Heart Association and a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

“Unfortunately, both physicians and women have the bias that young women can’t have heart disease.”

In fact, even as the overall cardiac mortality rate has fallen during the past 20 years, it has risen for women.

“We haven’t focused enough attention on the fact that heart disease starts young,” Robertson said. “It’s very much like osteoporosis: You have to prevent it before it’s a problem. You don’t build bone after 50, and you don’t begin to clear out your arteries either.”

Both men and women have to be mindful of the risk factors of high blood pressure, smoking, being overweight or sedentary. However, some risk factors, such as diabetes, play a greater role in women.

“Diabetes leads to a two- to three-fold increase in heart disease among men, but a three- to seven-fold increase in women,” said Lori Mosca, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

What’s more, high triglycerides (blood fats) and low HDL (the “good” cholesterol) are stronger predictors of cardiovascular disease in women than in men.

A woman’s risk can also increase with premature or surgical menopause without hormone-replacement therapy or using oral contraceptives if she is over 35 and is a smoker.

For a real and lasting Valentine gift, encourage the heart health of your sweetheart by encouraging her or him to read these suggested heart smart moves:

– Don’t smoke. If you do, quit. “This will have the greatest impact in preventing heart disease and stroke,” Robertson said.

In addition, avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible.

– Eat a healthful diet. That means one that’s low in fat (especially saturated fat) and rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber.

– Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes, five or more times per week can help control weight and blood pressure.

– Lose excess weight. Obesity is an independent risk factor even when you control for all the others.

– Cut down your risk. It’s not enough to just reduce your numbers: Aim for normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Happy Valentine’s Day – keep your heart healthy!

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Jacquie Albert is a registered nurse and a therapist at Wellness Promotion in Uniontown.

Questions or comments may be emailed to search4wellness@yahoo.com.