Ladies, heart disease is not a “man’s disease”—it’s the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. That’s why the American Heart Association declares each February “American Heart Month.”
Their national Go Red for Women campaign encourages women who have heart disease to speak up, share their story and make others aware of the risks and warning signs of heart disease.
I will be speaking about my own struggles with heart health on February 12th at a Go Red for Women luncheon affiliated with the University of Kentucky. And that’s why I am writing to you right now. I am passionate about sharing with women how listening to their bodies can save their lives!
Ten years ago I looked like the picture of health. But I knew there was something going on in my body that was just not right. Although I was teaching fitness classes five days a week, I felt fatigued. I was short of breath, dizzy, sweated excessively while exercising and experienced tooth pain. I had no idea these were symptoms of a heart problem.
Neither did the doctors I saw, apparently—I looked so strong and healthy. I continued going to various doctors for a year until a physician finally took me seriously and decided to check my heart through an echocardiogram. The test showed that I had a dime-sized hole in my heart. I am thankful that God kept me alive and that I was physically strong enough to make it through the extensive open-heart surgery.
Two years ago, right before I had my second open-heart surgery, I had been studying scripture about the heart. As I prayed, I felt God speak to me and I knew I should make an appointment with a cardiologist ASAP and get things checked out once again. God was right; the hole in my heart had reopened and once again I am thankful to be alive.
Here are my three tips for heart health:
1. Be a good listener!
The American Heart Association says, “The most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.” If you “hear” something, take action and see a doctor immediately.
2. Have a heart check-up regularly.
Regular medical checkups and early diagnosis of unexplained or vague symptoms can safe your life.
3. Get your heart moving!
Invite a friend out for a walk and talk session. If the weather is bad, walk your stairs, do jumping jacks or bounce on a stability ball while reaching your arms up and down (I LOVE this exercise).
Blessings,
T
Get more heart health tips on our Love Your Heart page.
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Get more advice from Theresa!
Find all you need to know on whole-person
wellness in Shaped by Faith.
Theresa is a former model and nationally certified fitness professional who teaches people to use their faith to inspire fitness and their fitness to strengthen their faith. She is the author of Shaped by Faith: 10 Secrets to Strengthening your Body & Soul, and two exercise DVDS: Pilates for the Soul
She and her husband, Robin, have seven children and live in Calhoun, Kentucky.
