WEDNESDAY, Sept. 18, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of American women, but they're failing to take some simple measures to protect themselves.
An American Heart Association (AHA) survey conducted earlier this year found that 75 percent of U.S. women don't make healthful choices when it comes to diet and exercise. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition contribute to development of cardiovascular disease.
"Studies have shown that women realize what it takes to reduce their risk for heart disease and want to reduce that risk, but they often aren't equipped with the tools they need to help them do so," says Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, director of the Vanderbilt Women's Heart Institute and AHA past president.
To help women, the AHA has launched "Simple Solutions," a free education program to help them learn how to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. "Simple Solutions" offers a variety of information, including health recipes and nutrition and exercise tips.
If you're interested in enrolling in "Simple Solutions," call the AHA at 1-888-MY HEART, or go to Simple Solutions.
Some of the Simple Solutions tips include:
- Add a handful of walnuts and low-fat dressing to your salad in place of cheese, high-fat salad dressing and croutons. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
- When you have a baked potato, add a tablespoon of low-fat or fat-free sour cream, which is lower in fat and sodium than margarine. Feel free to pile on the chives, but pass on the cheese and bacon.
- Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry. Walk around the outside aisles of the grocery store at least once before you begin to do your shopping.
- When you drop the kids off for soccer practice, get out of your car and walk around the field while your children play their game.
- Do outdoor yard work such as mowing the lawn, or raking leaves or grass.
More information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some disturbing facts on women and heart disease.
