Parent Magazine St. Johns March 2019 | Page 24

by Elvia Gabriel, ARNP-BC W e’ve all read or heard the statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 289,758 women in 2013 – that’s about 1 in every 4 female deaths. Although we are unable to change some risk factors, such as family history, there are several key heart disease prevention steps you can take to reduce your risk. You can avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle today. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO ASSIST YOU IN LIVING HEART-HEALTHY: DON’ T . Smoking or using tobacco of any kind is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup that ultimately leads to a heart attack. If you smoke and would like to quit, visit the American Cancer Society’s website – www.cancer.org – for smoking cessation information and resources. 22 | S T . J O H N S parent MAGAZINE