Heart disease (also called cardiovascular disease) is the number 1 killer in the United States, including of women and new moms. It includes conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, such as:
- coronary artery disease – a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart
- arrhythmia – the heart beats too slow, too fast, or in an irregular way
- heart failure – the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to the organs in the body
- Stroke – a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts
- and other conditions
Women and Heart Disease
Women of any age can get heart disease. Because of differences such as hormones, blood count, and heart size and structure, women are more likely than men to get certain types of heart disease and may have different symptoms and risk factors.
During pregnancy, some factors that contribute to heart disease, such as high blood pressure, can develop or worsen. Health issues during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, greatly increase a women’s risk for heart disease later in life. During menopause, the risk of heart disease also increases.
The good news: most heart disease risk can be lowered with healthy habits.
How can I prevent heart disease?
Some risks for heart disease can’t be changed (like age), but others, such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and being overweight, can be improved with lifestyle changes.
Start with practicing these small changes until they are heart healthy habits:
- Eat healthy
- Enjoy fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Choose plant-based proteins (beans, nuts) and lean animal proteins (skinless poultry, fish, seafood, low-fat dairy).
- Limit foods high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars, and processed meats.
- Take control – learn to read nutrition labels and cook more at home.
- See Embrace Healthy Eating English | Spanish
- Move more
- Sit less. Walk, march in place, dance or take the stairs.
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (like walking) OR 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, each week
- Add strength exercises (weights, push-ups) at least twice a week.
- Even ten minutes at a time helps! Find ways to move throughout your day!
- Set goals to make small, lasting changes to gradually increase your activity over time.
- See Move Your Body English | Spanish
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Lower stress
Taking care of your heart does not have to be hard. Small, everyday heart healthy habits can make a big difference in lowering the chances of heart disease and improving your overall health and wellbeing. And remember, what’s good for mom is good for baby!
Track Your Health
- Know the Blood Pressure Basics English | Spanish
- Keep Blood Sugar in Check English | Spanish
- Stay Well with Weight English | Spanish
- Be a Cholesterol Control Freak English | Spanish
Talk to your doctor about what your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and cholesterol numbers are, and what they should be. It is important to get regular check-ups, especially if you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant. Reach out to your doctor to set up an appointment.
- See Tips to Improve Health Care Visits to make the most out of every visit.
If you don’t have insurance or don’t have a doctor for regular check-ups:
- Call the Health Referral Line at 1 (800) 564-8448
- Visit https://coalitionoc.org/ for information about free or low-cost medical services in Orange County.
How does low-dose aspirin support heart health?
Low-dose aspirin (typically 81 milligrams) can be used to help prevent blood clots and support heart health when taken every day. During pregnancy, low-dose aspirin may be prescribed to help lower the risk of preeclampsia, a condition that can increase the long -term risk of heart problems and affect pregnancy outcomes. It is important to talk to your doctor about taking aspirin to prevent heart disease because not everyone needs it.
If your doctor decides low-dose aspirin is right for you, remember to:
- Make sure you understand how much to take and how often
- Check with your doctor if you want to stop taking aspirin
- Ask your doctor if a new medicine or vitamin is safe to take with aspirin
To learn more about the basics of taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, see:
- Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Talk with Your Doctor About Taking Aspirin to Prevent Heart Disease
To learn more about low-dose aspirin during pregnancy, see:
- American Heart Association: Low-Dose Aspirin During Pregnancy Could Reduce Your Risk of Preeclampsia
- March of Dimes and California Maternity Quality Care Collaborative: Low-dose Aspirin to Prevent Preeclampsia & Related Preterm Birth Initiative
Resources
For more facts on women and heart disease, see:
