Heart disease is the number-one killer of women in America. As estrogen levels drop with menopause, women no longer have the same protection estrogen gives them from heart disease and high blood pressure. As a result, women's heart disease risks parallel those of men.
If you haven't done so already, start protecting yourself today by making heart-healthy choices:
- Eat a variety of colorful fruit and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fatty fish, legumes and other lean protein sources.
- Choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
- Be moderately physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, if not every day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Your heart disease risk is higher if most of your body fat is around your abdomen, rather than your hips and thighs.
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Choose and prepare foods with little salt and consume potassium-rich foods to hinder sodium's effect on your blood pressure.
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