Most Women Don’t Know When To Begin Heart Screenings: *HINT* It’s Earlier Than You Think
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A national survey done by Orlando Health found that most women are unaware of the age at which heart screenings should begin. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends women begin regular screenings at the age of 20. 60% of the women surveyed believed regular screenings didn’t need to begin until after the age of 30. According to Dr. Carolina Demori, a cardiologist that leads the Women’s Cardiac Center at the Orlando Health Heart Institute, states that, “women can begin developing atherosclerosis, plaque in their arteries, in their teens and early twenties. Therefore, it is vital to understand risk factors and make appropriate life changes as early as possible.”
Screenings beginning at the age of 20 should include the following:
1. Weight and body mass index (BMI)
2. Blood pressure
3. Cholesterol Level
4. Glucose Levels
5. Waist Circumference
A doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other tests to uncover any existing heart conditions. In addition to heart screenings, women should eat a healthy diet and implement an exercise routine. It is important to be active at least 30 minutes a day at least 5 times a week. Women can begin by simply walking. The more exercise one does, the more beneficial it is to the heart.
The following is the recommended schedule for screening tests from the American Heart Association (AHA):
For more information on heart-health screenings, please visit the link at the American Heart Association for more information: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Heart-Health-Screenings_UCM_428687_Article.jsp#.WIaU-7YrLow
References
American Heart Association (AHA). (2014). Heart-Health Screenings. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Heart-Health-Screenings_UCM_428687_Article.jsp#.WIaU-7YrLow
MedicalXpress. (January 23, 2017). Most Women Don’t Know Age Heart Screenings Should Begin. Retrieved from: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-01-women-dont-age-heart-screenings.html