 |
 |
Hispanic Women And Heart Disease
How Are We Different?
When you hear the term "heart disease," what's your first
reaction? Like many women, you may think, "That's a
man's disease." But here's the truth: Heart disease
is the #1 killer of Latinas in the United States. Thirty-four percent of Mexican-American women have cardiovascular disease. Together with
stroke, heart disease accounts for a third of all deaths
among Latinas — cancer, the second-leading cause of death,
accounts for about a fifth.
Latinas also have high rates of some factors that increase
the risk of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, overweight
and obesity, and physical inactivity.
- Nearly two of every three Latinas
are overweight or obese, increasing the risk not only of
heart disease but also a host of other conditions, including
stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, and some cancers. Mexican American women are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic white women to be obese. If
you're overweight or obese, even a small weight loss will
help to lower your heart disease risk. At the very least, try
not to gain more weight.
- Smoking. Thirteen percent of Hispanic women smoke, which increases their risk of heart disease.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is more common among Hispanic Americans than among whites. Among Mexican Americans (the largest Hispanic subgroup), diabetes is twice as high as among whites. To prevent or control diabetes, control your weight, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure.
- High cholesterol. Almost half of all Mexican American women are at borderline-high risk for cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising (30 minutes or more on most days of the week), eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and keeping a healthy weight.
What Can I Do?
Follow these guidelines from the American Heart Association:
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. Talk to your doctor about the many options available to help.
- Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and blood glucose (sugar).
- Eat heart-healthy foods. Eat whole-grain foods, vegetables, and fruit. Choose lean meats and low-fat cheese and dairy products. Limit foods that have lots of saturated fat, like butter, whole milk, baked goods, ice cream, fatty meats, and cheese.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Reduce stress.
- Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
Questions To Ask My Doctor
For women who do not speak English comfortably, choosing a doctor who speaks the native language (or who has translators available) may make the health-care experience more valuable.
Talking to your doctor about any health concern is important. Let your doctor know you are working on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. First, learn what is considered normal.
- Is my blood pressure normal for me? How often should it be checked?
- What is my ideal weight?
- What healthy nutrition suggestions can you make based on my dietary tastes and culture?
- What can you tell me about my medications? (Tell your doctor about all the medications you use, including over-the-counter products such as herbal supplements and vitamins.)
Be honest about your concerns and get all your questions answered. Make sure you understand what the doctor tells you.
For more information about disparities facing Hispanic women, visit healthpowerforminorities.com, a website with user-friendly health information about disease prevention, detection and control for people of color.
|
|
|
|
