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Heart Health WEAR RED CANADA 2022:
Why #HerHeart Matters Thais Coutinho, MD & Lisa Comber, Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance
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iseases of the heart and blood vessels are the number one killers of women worldwide and the leading causes of premature death in women in Canada. Despite this, women are under-studied, under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-aware when it comes to their heart and blood vessel health.
PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN RUSSO
Did you know that women may experience different heart attack symptoms than men? Heart attack symptoms are not recognized in over 50 percent of women. Women most frequently report symptoms of chest pain or discomfort, which may be accompanied by a feeling of being unusually tired or shortness of breath. It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you or someone else may be having a heart attack.
Actress Jennie Garth Shares Her Top Heart Health Tips Melinda Carter
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Risk factors for heart disease affect women differently
any families know firsthand the toll that heart issues can take on health and well-being, and actress Jennie Garth learned this fact from an early age. Both of Garth’s parents have faced heart-related issues, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure — two established risk factors for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Garth’s father had his first heart attack at 37. “Not only did it drastically change my life circumstances, it educated me on the seriousness of the disease and the impact it has on not just the individual, but the whole family,” says Garth, who starred in 90210 and What I Like About You. The World Health Organization estimates that heart disease kills 17.9 million people each year, more than any other cause of death. After her father’s heart attack, Garth and her family began to make changes to their diet and lifestyle habits. Garth herself committed to taking a more proactive role in her own heart health, especially as she aged.
Garth now eats a plant-based diet and avoids dairy and meat, which she said can cause inflammation and stress to the digestive system. Limiting animal products as much as possible is one of her tips for improving heart health. “There are so many non-meat, non-dairy options available nowadays,” says Garth. “You can get plant-based butter at most grocery stores, and milk alternatives, like oat, almond, and cashew, to name a few. Even if you don’t think you’ll like the taste, try it. You might be surprised.”
Breaking old habits
Research backs up Garth’s advice, showing that plant-based diets can help delay the progression of, reverse, and prevent heart disease. Getting reg ula r exercise is another heart-healthy habit that Garth follows and that studies support for heart health. “Even if it’s a 15-minute brisk walk, just elevate your heart rate every day to get that
Reflecting on her family’s health habits while she was growing up, Garth says that it wasn’t all bad. While living in the Midwestern U.S., her family grew their own vegetables and raised pigs. But the diet high in animal fat that her father grew up with in the South was high in cholesterol and thus insidious to his heart.
Being your own health advocate is the key. Knowing your genetic predisposition and your numbers is everything.
blood pumping,” she suggests.
Advocating for your health When Garth turned 35, she began seeing a cardiologist. She made the choice in part to alleviate the worry she felt from her family health history. “I was very nervous that first visit, but was so happy to hear that my arteries weren’t in fact like my dad’s,” she says. “Having that information and reassurance helped me to move forward with less anxiety about it.” A heart health examination did reveal that Garth had a slight valve prolapse, which is a heart abnormality that’s usually harmless but sometimes requires treatment. In Garth’s case, the prognosis was good, but she notes that having the information was helpful to keep in mind for the future. She encourages anyone with concerns about their heart health to also be proactive, and to get to know their health care team. “Being your own health advocate is the key. Knowing your genetic predisposition and your numbers is everything,” says Garth, noting that body mass index, cholesterol, and blood pressure are key factors to know, as they can affect your ticker. An echocardiogram and a stress test are two exams that can help your cardiologist detect issues, she adds. “The fact is, you have one life, one body, and one heart,” she says. “So take care of it. Care enough about yourself and the people you love to take your own health seriously and to be your own best advocate.”
Lifestyle and medical factors can contribute to a woman’s future risk for heart disease. Importantly, diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking are more likely to cause heart disease or stroke in women than men. For example, women with diabetes are three times more likely to have heart disease than diabetic men. There are also specific risk factors for women in pregnancy and menopause. For example, complications that can occur during pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, among others, can increase their future chance of having heart disease or stroke.
80 percent of risk factors for heart and blood vessel diseases can be prevented Being active, eating well, managing stress, not smoking, and regular check-ups to assess and treat high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol reduce a woman’s risk.
Wear Red Canada is celebrated annually across Canada on February 13 to raise awareness about women’s heart health. The event is proudly hosted by the Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance and powered by the Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Learn more at wearredcanada.ca.
Strategic Account Manager: Madison Trajkovski Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com. @MediaplanetCA
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