Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States – for both men and women. However, due to hormonal changes throughout life, smaller blood vessels and different symptoms, women are at an especially increased risk – with as many as two out of three living with one or more risk factors for heart disease.
“Some of the best things that women can do to lower their risk for heart disease are to be informed and take action,” says Nancy Mesiha, M.D., a cardiologist at Henry Ford Health. “Often, the best motivators for encouraging women to live a more heart-healthy life are other women.”
4 Ways Women Can Support Women’s Heart Health
Here are some ways that women can band together to promote heart healthy habits:
1. Model a healthy lifestyle
One of the easiest ways to see improvement for your heart health is to live a heart healthy lifestyle. Your diet and overall wellbeing contribute to your heart disease risk. For example, eating fatty and fried foods or smoking cigarettes are choices you make that can be dangerous for your heart.
Try this: Lead by example by making small changes to your routine to help lower your heart disease risk. This includes:
- Making heart healthy food choices
- Quitting tobacco and nicotine products
- Working to reduce stress levels
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
2. Have a workout buddy
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes and obesity – health conditions that increase your chances of a heart disease diagnosis. Getting moving can help. Plus, exercise has other heart benefits including promoting healthy circulation and blood pressure levels.
Try this: Grab a friend and get in the habit of exercising together throughout the week. Meet up for a brisk walk each morning or challenge each other to meeting weight loss or daily step goals.
3. Hold each other accountable
Making heart healthy choices every day does take work. If you aren’t used to putting your heart health first, it may be tempting to slip back into old habits that increase your risk. However, studies show that heart disease patients are more likely to maintain healthy habits when supported by others.
“Having someone who can hold you accountable to keeping healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be very motivating,” says Dr. Mesiha.
Try this: If someone in your circle is struggling with their heart health, step up to motivate them! Maybe you help a friend keep their regularly scheduled appointments with their provider or remind a family member to check their blood pressure levels each day.
4. Advocate for women’s heart health
Research initiatives and clinical trials are essential to support the ongoing understanding of how heart disease and other heart conditions impact women. However, according to the American Heart Association, women account for only 38.2% of cardiovascular clinical trial participants. Learning how women can further their involvement in medical research will help physicians better understand women’s risk for heart disease.
Try this: Programs like Research Goes Red are dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of women’s heart health. Consider joining this program or other medical research programs to help support advancements in cardiovascular care for women.
Reviewed by Dr. Nancy Mesiha, a cardiologist who works with the Henry Ford Women's Heart Center.
