How old is
your heart?
Answer the heart calculator questions at Consumer Reports 
for a snapshot of your heart health, and to determine your estimated heart attack risk.
Symptoms women shouldn’t ignore
Some women experience the same heart attack symptoms as men, including chest pain and sudden, severe pressure. However, up to 43 percent of women suffering a heart attack feel no chest discomfort at all. Take symptoms seriously and don’t be afraid to seek help.
- Difficulty sleeping. Sleeplessness often strikes in the month before a heart episode.
- Fatigue. More than 70 percent of women report weakness, fatigue and flu-like symptoms in the week before a heart attack.
- Sweating. Watch for paleness, cold sweats and extreme perspiration.
- Shortness of Breath. Studies show that more than half of female heart attack victims struggle to breathe during an attack.
- Non-chest pain. Nagging pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders and back can accompany a cardiac episode.
- Nausea and light-headedness. During a heart attack, women can experience episodes of dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
- Anxiety. Feeling a sense of dread or doom? Your body may be telling you something.
Nearly every American has at least one risk factor for heart disease, according to a recent report from the American Heart Association.
Your heart is, essentially, a pump. Not just any pump. This pump is key to your longevity. This pump delivers blood and oxygen to all the organs in your body.
While the heart has an important job, lifestyle and genetics make it prone to disease. The leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. is heart disease. It takes many forms: from heart attacks to coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure.
You likely know about the most common heart disease triggers, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, too little exercise and a family history of cardiovascular problems. However, recent studies link other surprising factors to higher risk.
- A LACK OF SLEEP can double your risk of heart issues, particularly if you get five or fewer hours per night.
- Chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular disease as it amps up blood pressure, cholesterol levels and weight.
- Gum disease doubles your fatal heart attack risk. It’s a silent problem that causes few symptoms in its early stages. Studies suggest nearly 75 percent of adults live with periodontal disease.
- Pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and gestational diabetes, greatly increase the chances of a heart attack later in life.
- Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that also triggers inflammation in the body, raises heart disease risk almost as much as smoking.
Six simple strategies that go a long way toward preventing heart disease:
- Lower your blood pressure
- Cut cholesterol levels
- Lose weight
- Control your blood sugar
- Stop smoking
- Talk to your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin each day
For an added benefit, consider additional lifestyle changes that can protect your heart and improve your overall health:
- Stretch each morning or night.
- Eat more flaxseed, salmon, vegetables and fiber. All provide heart-healthy benefits.
- Add a clove of garlic to your daily menu to prevent clogging in your arteries.
- Avoid sugar, particularly from soda and baked goods.
- Drink antioxidant-rich green tea, which might help cut cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
- Practice spirituality, meditate daily and laugh often. Each relieves stress, a serious heart disease factor.
When a heart attack strikes
Receiving care within one hour of a heart attack increases your survival chances by 50 percent. Even care within three hours raises survival rates by 23 percent. When faced with an incident, how should you respond?
If you experience symptoms, call 911 immediately. Don’t drive yourself to the emergency room, and don’t ask someone else to take you. Paramedics can start treatment in the ambulance, which improves your chances of survival. Taking a chewable aspirin at the first signs of trouble can prevent blood clots, as well.
If someone near you experiences symptoms, call 911 immediately. If the victim has collapsed, new American Heart Association guidelines recommend giving hard, fast chest compressions until help arrives. Unlike classic CPR, this technique requires no training, no mouth contact, and quickly moves oxygen through the bloodstream during crucial moments. If available, an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) can also restore regular heart rhythm.
Visit Wellmark's Preventive Guidelines , which include recommendations for pediatric and adult screenings, tests and exams.
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