Heart Health
Three heart tips for women to keep in mind
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COURIER L 28 IFE, FEBRUARY 5-11, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
offers the following advice
to women looking to prioritize
their heart health:
A heart-friendly diet
Thanks to food labels, it’s easier
than ever for women to consume
heart-healthy diets. When examining
labels, look for foods that are low
in sodium and sugar. When planning
meals, avoid foods that are high in
trans fats.
In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration
ruled that trans fats were not
recognized as safe for use in human
foods and gave manufacturers three
years to remove them from their products.
The Cleveland Clinic advises consumers
to check labels for “partially
hydrogenated oils,” which are a hidden
source of trans fats. In addition,
the Cleveland Clinic notes that foods
such as cakes, pies, cookies, biscuits,
microwavable breakfast sandwiches,
and many types of crackers contain
trans fats.
High-risk conditions
Certain conditions can increase a
woman’s risk for heart disease. While
women may not be able to turn back
the clocks and prevent these conditions
from developing, they can take
them for the serious threat they are
and do their best to manage them.
High blood pressure, diabetes, and
high cholesterol can increase a woman’s
risk for heart disease. Take medications
as directed, monitor blood
sugar levels if you have diabetes, and
routinely have your blood pressure
and cholesterol tested to ensure any
preexisting conditions are not increasing
your risk for heart disease.
Aspirin intake
The Food and Drug Administration
notes that many physicians prescribe
aspirin to lower patients’ risk of heart
disease, clot-related strokes, and other
problems related to cardiovascular
disease. However, there are risks associated
with long-term aspirin use, and
such risks should be discussed with a
physician.
According to the Administration,
bleeding in the stomach, bleeding in
the brain, kidney failure, and certain
types of stroke are some of the potential
side effects of long-term aspirin
use. Such side effects may never
appear, but the risk that they might
makes discussing the pros and cons of
aspirin well worth it.
Women can learn more about heart
disease by visiting www.fda.gov.
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