February 11, 2008

As the leading cause of death in Michigan and the leading killer of women, the Michigan Department of Community Health recognizes February as Heart Health Awareness Month to bring attention to this critical health issue.

Heart disease kills more women than the next six causes of death including all forms of cancer. A 2006 survey showed that 57 percent of women knew that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. This is a significant increase in awareness compared to earlier surveys in 2000 and 2003. Many women surveyed identified breast cancer as the largest health threat.

Though aging, family health history, and race are all considered uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease, risks such as cigarette smoking, inactivity, and obesity are considered avoidable. Roughly 20 percent of Michigan women smoke.

Further, most women in Michigan do not get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity on most or all days of the week, nor do they eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Regular physical activity and a heart healthy diet are important ways to lower your risk.

Regular checkups with your family physician are also very important. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Recognizing the symptoms of heart disease can save lives. The American Heart Association identifies the following warning signs of a heart attack and emphasizes that many heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort:

- Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back;

- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest;

- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach;

- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; and

- Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you or someone you are with experiences chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the above signs or symptoms, call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately.

For more information on heart health and The American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign, please visit www.heart.org. To learn more about small steps you can take towards better health, please visit the Michigan Surgeon General's Web site, Michigan Steps Up, at www.michiganstepsup.org.