February is American Heart Month, and Dr. Stacey Rosen, the incoming volunteer president of the American Heart Association, shares important insights about heart disease prevention. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., causing more deaths than cancer and accidents combined.
Dr. Rosen introduces Life’s Essential Eight, a list of key health factors and behaviors to improve heart health, including managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight, along with staying active, eating well, quitting tobacco, and getting enough sleep.
Women face unique risks related to heart disease, influenced by factors such as pregnancy complications, menopause, and hormonal changes. Unfortunately, only 45% of women know heart disease is their number one risk.
Dr. Rosen also discusses when to see a cardiologist, explaining that people with family history, risk factors, or symptoms should seek medical attention. She emphasizes that symptoms can differ in women, who may experience back pain, jaw pain, or stomach pain instead of the classic chest pain. The message is clear: pay attention to unusual symptoms and find a doctor who takes your concerns seriously.
Vocabulary:
• Cardiologist (noun): A doctor who specializes in heart health.
• Cholesterol (noun): A type of fat in the blood that can affect heart health.
• Lipids (noun): Fat molecules in the body, including cholesterol.
• Risk factor (noun): Something that increases the chance of developing a disease.
• Menopause (noun): The stage in a woman’s life when menstrual cycles stop.
• Prevention (noun): Actions taken to avoid disease or health problems.
• Evaluation (noun): A medical check-up or assessment.
• Symptoms (noun): Physical signs that indicate illness, such as pain or fatigue.
• Diagnosis (noun): A doctor’s identification of a disease.
• Minimize (verb): To reduce something as much as possible.
• Tobacco (noun): The plant used to make cigarettes and other smoking products.
• Obesity (noun): A condition of being very overweight.
• Metabolism (noun): The process by which the body converts food into energy.
Source: TODAY