Monday Devotional - Heart Disease

OK so this isn't a devotional per say but this is what we talked about in Joy the week before last:
Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

As women it is important for us to keep our bodies strong and healthy to be able to care for our families. God has given us one life and one body and we need to make the best of that life and body. Your life is a gift from God and your heart is what keeps that life going - so take care of it! Heart Disease is the number one killer among women in the united states. The reason for this is that many women do not have the "atypical" symptoms of heart disease. It is much harder to diagnose heart disease in a woman than it is in a man and oft' times it goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed. Heredity, obesity and weight related health problems are directly related to heart disease. You can help prevent heart disease by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and high in fiber, and getting plenty of exercise.

Here are some facts about heart disease:
1. Heart disease is the number 1 killer among women in the United States.
2. 1 in 3 women will die of heart disease.
3. About 6 million American women have heart disease.
4. 38% of women will die within one year of having an initial recognized heart attack.
5. About 35% of women who have had a heart attack will have another within 6 years.
6. Heart disease is not ageless; the risks can start as early as the teen years and increase dramatically in mid-life.
7. Heart disease is also very preventable and treatable with lifestyle changes and paying attention to your own body signals.
If you would like to read more facts about heart disease then click here to download the pdf file - you can also find this pdf, along with a heart rate pdf, on the right hand side of this blog under "printable weight loss tools."

To keep your heart healthy we all know that you should eat right and get plenty of exercise but did you know that you can also help prevent heart disease before it happens by keeping in tune to your body? You can do this by knowing your blood pressure levels and when they are elevated, checking your resting heart rate - a higher resting heart rate could mean a symptom of heart disease - having your cholesterol checked and being aware of the uncommon symptoms of heart disease such as pain in the back instead of down the arms and jaw or pain that is similar to indigestion and upset stomach. Rarely is a heart attack like it is seen on tv with a sudden collapse and clenching of the chest. This is especially so for women. If you ever have the slightest doubt about the way you are feeling do not hesitate to have your symptoms checked out. It is better to be a little embarrassed about going to the doctor than to lose your life over something preventable!
Click here to download a pdf file that shows how to check your heart rate and what resting heart rate and blood pressure levels should be.

Here are some links that discuss heart disease in women:
Women Heart
American Heart Association
Womens Heart Foundation
For Woman
Women's Health

Remember: 3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."