Guest Author - Jackie O´Neal

Heart Health

On February 17, 2006 the Sister to Sister, Everyone has a Heart Foundation,a National non-profit kicks-off the 6th Annual National Women’s Heart Day in 14 American cities.
The organization’s goals include providing free heart disease screenings and informational seminars on becoming “heart healthy.”
Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz, board certified specialist in cardiovascular disease,and Co-Chair of the National Women’s Heart Day Campaign in Los Angeles, is optimistic that women can learn how to create a heart healthy lifestyle if they follow some smart directives.
With heart disease being recognized as the number one killer of women, Dr. Merz emphasizes the importance of not smoking. “There are so many good medications such as FDA approved, Zyban which is also an anti-depressant,” she noted.
In addition to the cessation of smoking, diet also plays an important role in women’s heart health, so women need to be aware of making better food choices.
Dr. Merz recommends eating 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, low-fat dairy products such as low-fat cottage cheese, yogurt and milk as well as eliminating fatty and fried foods and unhealthy snacks such as chips. According to Dr. Merz, a wiser snack choice would be raw and unsalted nuts particularly walnuts. Eating fresh or frozen fish such as salmon, shrimp and scallops twice a week can also beneficial in promoting heart health, Dr. Merz explained.
The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. “Exercise, even as little as 10 minutes a day can have a benefit and it does not have to be continuous. Spend 30 minutes in 10 minute blocks doing physical activity such as stair climbing at work, or walking,” she said.
The reality of trying to balance work and family responsibilities can often have a deleterious effect on women’s health and so setting time aside to re-group may provide benefits. “Invest in your own health- even if it means taking time to structure your life. Take care of yourself,” she noted.
Dr. Merz advises her patients to be cognizant of the dangers of stress. “Stress can contribute to strokes, but is highly variable and difficult to measure. It has been challenging to study stress management, but it is important to use stress management techniques to the extent that it enhances the quality of life,” she said.