Heart disease kills one in three women each year—that’s approximately one woman every minute. But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men.
As an official media sponsor of Go Red, New Jersey Monthly is proud to support the movement for more research. The February print issue contains a special section that is part of an overall initiative throughout the month of February. It is intended to educate and inspire women, and to celebrate the energy, passion and power that drives us all toward a common goal—wiping out heart disease and stroke.
“We wanted to get involved with Go Red for Women because heart disease in women truly affects everyone we know—whether it’s yourself, your mother, daughter, wife, grandmother, niece or co-worker,” says Kate Tomlinson, editor and publisher of New Jersey Monthly. “And with the lack of awareness as to how many people this affects, it’s time to get the message out.”
Warning signs…
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, the most common heart attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. But it’s important to note that women are more likely to experience other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
How to prevent:
• Don’t smoke
• Manage your blood sugar
• Get your blood pressure under control
• Lower your cholesterol
• Know your family history
• Stay active
• Lose weight
• Eat healthy
For more information, go to goredforwomen.org.