Written by Rita Jenkins| 21 February, 2007 03:43 GMT
New guidelines issued on Monday by the
American Heart Association
emphasize the importance of tackling women's heart health issues over the long term, rather than waiting for problems to show up.
Among the recommendations included in the 2007 Guidelines for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women are new advice on the use of aspirin, nutritional supplements and hormone replacement therapy as they relate to preventing heart disease and strokes among women.
The guidelines are published in
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
In spite of the possibility of such side effects as ulcers and bleeding, the new guidelines suggest that women consider daily aspirin use as a measure to reduce stroke risk.
Still, the decision ultimately should be made in consultation with a physician, according to Lori Mosca, director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, who chaired the expert panel that drafted the guidelines.
A program of regular daily exercise combined with a reduced-fat diet are beneficial for heart health, according to the guidelines, while supplementing with vitamins C and E, beta carotene and folic acid are of no value.
The guidelines point to high blood pressure, smoking, excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle as the greatest risk factors for heart disease, although it may not show up until later in life. The vast majority of women in the US have one or more of these factors working against them.
The recommendations in the guidelines include the following:
Maintain a healthy weight;
Engage in regular physical activity -- ideally, at least 60 to 90 minutes of moderate exercise daily;
Eat a diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables;
Use low-fat dairy products and avoid saturated fats; eat oily fish twice a week; consider fatty acid supplements;
Keep alcohol consumption moderate;
Restrict sodium intake;
If you smoke, make quitting a top priority;
Say no to hormone replacement therapy;
Don't rely on antioxidants to prevent heart disease; and
Consult with your physician regarding aspirin therapy. |
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