February 2002 edition
FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
In February, our thoughts turn to matters of the heart. The best Valentine's Day gift you can give to a loved one is becoming more aware of how women are affected by heart disease, or "cardiovascular" disease, which includes diseases of the heart as well as the body's blood vessel system. Several studies indicate that American women fear breast cancer far more than they fear cardiovascular disease; yet the facts tell a different story.
MYTH: Women are more likely to get breast cancer than heart disease
TRUTH: Almost twice as many women die from cardiovascular diseases than
from all forms of cancer combined. In fact, it kills six times as many women as breast
cancer.
MYTH: Heart disease does not cause the same pain, disfigurement and
prolonged discomfort that breast cancer can cause.
TRUTH: Heart disease can be extremely uncomfortable, causing disability,
limited activity and pain over a long period of time.
The only good news about heart disease is that we know much more about preventing it than breast cancer, so I urge you to read the special article below. And if you are without a special sweetheart this Valentines Day, consider your new heart awareness as a gift to yourself!
We are happy to report that in the last few months, NWHIC has been used by more women than ever. Perhaps the new concerns for public safety is making us think more about our health. Or maybe it's the growing glut of those hideous infomercials making claims about weight control, herbal supplements, equipment for stronger abs, and fat burning pills. Did you know that many of these products, unless used under the supervision of your healthcare provider could cause more harm than good? Do you know how to identify fraudulent health products? See our "special publications for your health" section for tips on how to identify fraudulent health products.
In celebration of Wise Health Consumer Month, the Office on Women's Health would like to bring awareness to consumer product safety. The Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) are good places to turn for information. You can also check out the new federal web site Consumer.gov (www.consumer.gov) for a variety of consumer information. Becoming a wise health consumer will help you make the best decisions about medications and health products.
A reminder to all this winter to listen to your children's health concerns. In my household, my eleven year old complained of difficulty breathing when she played basketball. At first, I thought she just didn't want to run hard. Finally, I had her lungs checked and she was diagnosed with asthma. She is under medication and now runs as fast as all the other girls!
Stay warm and safe as we inch towards spring, and take care of yourselves!
Carol Krause
Director of Communications, Office on Women's Health, DHHS
February NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES
American Heart Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Sinus Pain Awareness Month
Wise Health Consumer Month
Cardiac Rehabilitation Week (3-9)
National Burn Awareness Week (3-9)
National Child Passenger Safety Awareness (10-16)
National Children of Alcoholics Week (10-16)
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (6)
National Condom Day (14)
IMPORTANT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOW available at NWHIC for a few more days!! – The 2002 Women’s Health Daybook: “ Women Living Long, Living Well.” Call our toll-free call center at (800) 994-9662 and mention the NEWSLETTER to order your FREE individual copy today. Be sure to pass the word on to your friends to call us for a free copy, or for free information on any of the 800 topics we cover. Please note that we are no longer accepting orders for more than one daybook, as there are not many left in stock.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is now offering a free Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Palm OS medical reference program. The COPD Guidelines Tool allows health professionals with Palm OS devices quick and easy point-of-care access to guidelines on COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention. To install this program go to: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/emails/gold11002.htm.
FEBRUARY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
Frequently Asked Questions - Heart and Cardiovascular Disease
Do women really need to worry about heart disease?
Many women think heart disease is a man’s problem. But heart disease is very much a woman’s problem – it is the #1 killer of American women. Increasing age is a factor in heart disease and with people age 65 and over being the fastest growing group in the U.S., heart disease is becoming a growing problem for women.
Heart disease affects women of all racial and ethnic groups, as well as women with other illnesses, such as diabetes. Black women are more likely to die of heart disease than white women.
What is the difference between heart disease and cardiovascular disease?Heart disease refers to diseases only of the heart and the blood vessel system within the heart. Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases of the heart AND diseases of the blood vessel system within a person’s entire body (such as the brain, legs, and lungs). "Cardio" refers to the heart and "vascular" refers to the blood vessel system. The heart is a strong, muscular pump slightly larger than your fist. It pumps blood continuously through the circulatory system, the network of elastic tubes that allows blood to flow throughout your body. The circulatory system includes two major organs, the heart and lungs, and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins). Arteries and capillaries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to all parts of the body. Veins carry oxygen- and nutrient-depleted blood back to the heart and lungs. Heart and blood vessel problems do not happen quickly. Over time, the arteries that bring blood to the heart and brain can become blocked from a buildup of cells, fat, and cholesterol (called plaque). Blockages in the arteries or blood clots can cause a person to have a heart attack or a stroke.
There are many forms of cardiovascular disease and heart disease, and the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) has provided links at the end of this FAQ for further information. We highlight common cardiovascular diseases here.
Common cardiovascular diseases include:
Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis (or thickening and hardening of the arteries). As we age, some hardening of the arteries can occur naturally. When a person has atherosclerosis, the inner walls of the arteries become narrower due to a buildup of plaque. Plaque results from deposits of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. Blood clots form, blocking blood flow, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. High blood cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and not being physically active all put you at greater risk for atherosclerosis.
Coronary heart disease (or coronary artery disease). Coronary heart disease, the most common form of heart disease, affects the blood vessels (or coronary arteries) of the heart. It causes angina (chest pain) and heart attacks. Women over the age of 40 are more at risk for this disease because heart-related problems tend to increase with age. And, Black women are more likely to die of coronary heart disease than are White women. The good news is that you can do something about preventing this disease. High blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and not being physically active all put you at greater risk for coronary heart disease.
Angina is a pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood. It feels like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest under the breastbone, but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, shoulder, jaw, or back. The most common trigger for angina is physical exertion. Other triggers can be emotional stress, extreme cold or heat, alcohol, and smoking. Angina seldom causes permanent damage to the heart, like a heart attack can. A heart attack happens when the blood flow to a part of the heart is suddenly and permanently cut off.
Stroke. Lack of blood flow to the brain, from blood clots or broken blood vessels, causes a stroke. In some cases, bleeding in the brain can also cause a stroke. Without a good blood supply, brain cells cannot get enough oxygen and begin to die. You can also have what are sometimes called "mini strokes," or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), where no damage is done to the brain. TIAs are serious and can put you at higher risk of having a full stroke. Not controlling high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes all increase your risk for stroke.
High blood pressure (or hypertension). There are ways to measure blood pressure and medications to treat high blood pressure (by lowering it). A blood pressure reading measures the force of blood pumped from the heart against the walls of your blood vessels. It is recorded as two numbers: a top number of systolic pressure, or the pressure of blood in the vessels as the heart beats; and a bottom number of diastolic pressure, or the pressure of the blood between heart beats (when the heart rests). Although the average blood pressure reading for adults is 120/80, a slightly higher or lower reading (for either number) may not be a problem. High blood pressure is diagnosed when the reading consistently exceeds 140/90. It is often called a "silent" killer because many people with high blood pressure do not know they have it. High blood pressure can cause heart failure in women, and can also lead to stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. More than half of all women over age 55 suffer from this serious condition. And, it is more common and more severe in African American women. Talk to your health care provider and get your blood pressure monitored regularly. If you have high blood pressure, diet, exercise, and medicine can help you to lower and control your blood pressure.
Heart failure. Heart failure means that the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. It does NOT mean that the heart literally stops. Heart failure develops slowly over time and can have a large impact on a person’s life and ability to perform daily activities of living, such as dressing, bathing, and getting around.
Congestive heart failure is a term often used to describe heart failure. But congestion, or the buildup of fluid, is only one symptom of heart failure and does not occur in all people who have heart failure. There are two main categories of heart failure – systolic and diastolic - and within each category, symptoms can differ from person to person. Systolic heart failure happens when the heart’s ability to pump blood decreases. The heart cannot push enough blood into the circulatory system, causing blood coming into the heart from the lungs to back up and leak fluid into the lungs (called pulmonary congestion). Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart has trouble relaxing or resting. The heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot fill with blood, causing fluid to buildup (most often in the feet, ankles, and legs) and lung congestion. Talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of the signs of heart failure. There are drugs to treat heart failure. Having a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can lower your risk for heart failure.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both women and men in the United States. Stroke is the third leading cause of death for American women (cancer is number two). Almost twice as many women die from cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer combined. Men have heart attacks and strokes more often then do women. But, the death rate for women from cardiovascular disease is higher. As women age, particularly after menopause, they become more at risk for cardiovascular disease. Lower levels of estrogen during and after menopause are thought to increase a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Early menopause, natural or surgical, can double a woman’s risk for developing coronary heart disease. Younger women are also at risk for cardiovascular disease if they smoke or have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and a family history of cardiovascular disease at young ages. Women with congenital heart disease (born with a heart defect) have a higher risk of having a baby with a heart defect.
What factors increase my chances for heart disease?Many factors put a woman at risk for cardiovascular disease. The more risk factors a woman has, the greater the chance that she will have a heart attack or stroke. There are some factors that you can’t control such as getting older, family health history, and race. But you can do something about the three biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease - cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. Stopping smoking will reduce your risk and you can get help, through support groups, special behavior change programs, and medication, to quit. High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol can be controlled through diet, exercise, and medication. Talk with your health care provider about developing a plan for cardiovascular health.
Studies have shown that physical inactivity adds to a person’s risk for getting cardiovascular disease. People who are not active are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those who are more active. Excess body weight in women is linked with coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and death from heart-related causes. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk for heart disease.
Diabetes, sometimes referred to as high blood sugar, is a serious condition that raises a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Women with diabetes have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke than do women without diabetes. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity often go hand-in-hand, raising a person’s risk for heart disease. And, diabetes has been found to double the risk of a second heart attack in women but not in men.
Being around tobacco smoke for large amounts of time, or all the time, can increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease, even if you do not smoke. Today’s low-dose birth control pills carry a much lower risk of heart disease and stroke than the higher-dose earlier pills did. But this is not the case for women who smoke or have high blood pressure.
How can I reduce my risk for cardiovascular disease?Regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Being active helps women take off extra pounds, helps to control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic's need for insulin, and boosts the level of "good" cholesterol. Some studies show that being inactive increases the risk of heart attack. Other ways to reduce your risk include:
Quit smoking
Cut back on foods high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
Check blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels and keep them under control.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most (if not all) days of the week
Lose weight if you are overweight and keep at a healthy weight
Learn how to reduce and manage stress
Having a low fat, low cholesterol diet and getting regular exercise are excellent health habits for all women to have. These good health habits will lower blood pressure and keep blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels healthy. Studies have shown that being physically active decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Women, along with most Americans, are becoming more and more inactive. About 60% of American women do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity needed to maintain health. The Surgeon General recommends getting 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week to protect heart and overall health. This includes activities such as brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening. You do not have to do the activity for 30 minutes in a row; you can divide it into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each. Women who have had heart attacks might worry about exercising after their recovery. Studies have shown that people who include regular physical activity in their lives after a heart attack, improve their chances of survival. If you have had a heart attack, talk with your health care provider about developing an exercise plan.
How does high blood cholesterol affect your risk for heart disease?Almost 25 percent of American women have blood cholesterol levels high enough to put them at risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all parts of the body. It makes cell membranes, some hormones, and Vitamin D. Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and the food you eat. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. Eating too much cholesterol in animal foods like meats, whole milk dairy products, egg yolks, poultry, and fish can make your cholesterol go up.
Cholesterol travels through the blood in packages called lipoproteins. There are two different types of lipoproteins – low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often called the "bad" type of cholesterol because it can cause buildup and blockage in the arteries that carry blood to your heart. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the blood, preventing buildup and blockage in the arteries. The higher your cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease.
From the time women turn 20 years old, their blood cholesterol levels start to rise. From age 40, they rise sharply and increase until about age 60. Being overweight and physically inactive also can raise your level of bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower your level of good (HDL) cholesterol. Family history (genes) can also affect how your body makes and handles cholesterol. All women age 20 and over need to have their blood cholesterol checked. High blood cholesterol is an important risk factor for heart disease that you can help control with diet, exercise (which will increase HDL and lower LDL), and quitting smoking. In some cases, your health care provider might prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication.
I had my cholesterol (or lipid levels) checked but I do not understand the results. What do they mean?Cholesterol levels are checked with a blood test that measures the amount of LDL ("bad" cholesterol or low density lipoprotein), HDL ("good" cholesterol or high density lipoprotein), and total cholesterol in your body.
The best LDL levels are those less than 100. LDL levels between 100 and 129 are okay but a bit high, between 130 and 159 are borderline high, and 160 and above are high. High LDL levels can cause buildup and blockage in the arteries that carry blood to the heart.
The lower the HDL level, the higher the heart disease risk. An HDL level less than 40 is a major risk factor for heart disease. An HDL level greater than 60 will protect the heart.
Total cholesterol, the sum of all cholesterol in your blood, is best if less than 200, borderline-high if between 200-239, and high if 240 or above.
Talk with your health care provider about the results of your blood cholesterol test and what it means for your health and risk of heart disease. There are ways you can control your blood cholesterol including:
getting your cholesterol checked, understanding what the numbers mean;
controlling your weight;
following a treatment program your health care provider prescribes (such as medication and cutting back on foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol);
exercising regularly;
quitting smoking.
Heart disease can often have no symptoms, which is why it is called a "silent" killer. But, there are some symptoms that can alert you to a possible problem. Chest or arm discomfort, especially while under stress or during activity, is a classic symptom of heart, and is a warning sign of a heart attack. Women or older people may also have fatigue (with no reason why), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or abnormal heart beats (or palpitations).
Talk with your health care provider if you think you may be having any symptoms of heart disease. Your health care provider will first take a complete medical history and do a physical exam. There are many tests for heart disease. The choice of which (and how many) tests to perform depends on a person’s symptoms and history of heart problems. A health care provider will most often start with simple tests, which may lead to tests that are more complex. More than one test may be needed because each test gives different information. Tests can be either invasive or noninvasive. Invasive tests involve the insertion of needles, instruments, or fluids into the body; noninvasive tests do not.
I read that women show different signs than men do before a heart attack. What can I do to make sure the emergency room treats me correctly?
Learning what the signs and signals of heart attack are is important for all women. While most women know the "classic" signs of heart attack such as chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the arm, and tightness in the chest, most do not know the less common signs women can have like nausea, sweating, fatigue, and dizziness.
Chest pain can also be due to something other than a heart attack, and needs to be carefully looked at by your health care provider. All chest pain must be taken seriously and women should not wait until it becomes severe to seek help. Some studies have shown that women who tell their health care providers about chest pain are not treated as aggressively as are men. Also, women may describe chest pain differently than men and be more likely to think it is due to something else (like indigestion, being tired). Women who are not satisfied with a health care provider’s evaluation of their chest discomfort need to seek another opinion.
If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 right away or go to an emergency room. Make sure you communicate all your symptoms to the emergency room (ER) team, along with your medical history. Notify your health care provider as soon as possible and be sure to see him or her to develop a follow-up plan. There are new blood tests being used in ERs to determine heart attack or malfunction, called the creatine kinase (CK) and CK enzyme (CK-MB) tests. Talk with your health care provider for more information about these types of blood tests.
I have a friend who is 38 years old. She has irregular or "extra" heartbeats. Her health care provider said that a woman's system changes as she enters menopause and can result in these heartbeats. Are they dangerous? Does this have anything to do with menopause?"Extra" heartbeats, also called palpitations, or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) happen when there is irritation in the lower part of the heart’s pumping chambers. PVCs interrupt the normal heart rhythm and cause an irregular beat that can feel like a "missed beat" or a "flip-flop" in the chest. This can be harmless or it may lead to problems that are more serious.
If a woman has palpitations and other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath, she should tell her health care provider right away. The health care provider will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam, and may order further tests to determine the cause of the palpitations. In some people, caffeinated products (coffee, candy bars), alcohol, and stress can cause palpitations. When a woman is in perimenopause (the time before menopause), changing hormone levels can also cause harmless palpitations.
As women age, particularly after menopause, they become more at risk for cardiovascular disease. Lower levels of estrogen during and after menopause are thought to contribute to increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
What is an arrhythmia? Can you have a heart arrhythmia without having heart disease?
Most people have felt their heart beat very fast, felt a fluttering in their chest, or noticed that their heart skipped a beat. Almost everyone has also felt dizzy, faint, or out of breath or had chest pains at one time or another. While these experiences of heart arrhythmias (a change in the regular beat of the heart) can create anxiety, they are, for most people, harmless. As adults age, they are more likely to get arrhythmias. Only a very small number of people have arrhythmias that are dangerous. Don’t panic if you have a few flutters or your heart races once in a while. If you have questions about your heart rhythm or symptoms, talk with your health care provider.
Is it safe to take an aspirin a day to prevent heart disease?
If you have already had a heart attack, aspirin helps to lower the risk of having another one. It also helps to keep arteries open in those who have had a heart bypass or other artery-opening procedure such as coronary angioplasty. But, because of its risks, aspirin is NOT approved by the Food and Drug Administration for preventing heart attacks in healthy people. It may even be harmful for some persons, especially those with no risk of heart disease. Talk to your health care provider about whether taking aspirin is right for you. Be sure not to confuse aspirin with other common pain relieving products such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxyn sodium (Aleve).
Do birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase a woman’s risk for heart disease?
Birth control pills have little increased risk of heart disease for women who have not gone through menopause (when periods stop). But, they do pose heart disease risks for some women, especially in women with high blood pressure and in women who smoke.
Menopause may increase a woman’s risk for heart disease, due to lower levels of estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) works by raising estrogen levels and reducing common symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. While HRT can reduce risk for heart disease after menopause, it also may increase the risk of other diseases, such as breast cancer.
Recent studies have shown that women who have gone through menopause and who have heart disease, may have a greater risk of another cardiac event (like heart attack) after starting HRT, at least in the short-term. For women who have had strokes, their risk for having another stroke goes up when they start taking HRT. Because of these research findings, the American Heart Association recommends that women should not be given HRT to prevent heart disease, and that women with heart disease or who have had a stroke should not start taking hormones.
If you are taking birth control pills or HRT, watch for signs of trouble, such as abnormal bleeding, breast lumps, shortness of breath, dizziness, severe headaches, pain in your calves or chest, and report them to your health care provider right away. Also have, at the least, a yearly exam. Talk with your health care provider about whether hormones are right for you.
For More Information...
You can find out more about heart and cardiovascular disease by contacting the National Women’s Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
Internet Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
Publication: Exercise and Your Heart: A Guide to Physical Fitness
http://www.nih.gov/health/exercise/
American Heart Association
Phone: (800) 242-8721 (Heart & Stroke Info)
(800) 793-2665 (publications)
(888) 694-3278 (women's health info)
Internet Address: http://www.americanheart.org
Texas Heart Institute
Phone: (800) 292-2221
Internet Address: http://www.texasheartinstitute.org
This information was excerpted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's pamphlet, "Women and Heart Disease" and the NHLBI's The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women and the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services "Heart Disease and Stroke in Women: the facts." Contributing to this FAQ on heart disease: The University of Maryland Medical Center, a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health sponsored by the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
All material contained in the FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.
SPANISH LANGUAGE MATERIALS
Did you know you can order Spanish Language Materials from NWHIC? Call our toll-free information center at: (800) 994-9662 and speak to a Spanish Information Specialist to learn how. Mention the "Healthy Women Today" newsletter and receive a free magnet as well as Spanish Language Material!
NWHIC's GUEST EDITOR ARTICLE
The Featured Health Article on NWHIC's Web site this month is:
"Cancer of the Cervix -- A Preventable Cancer in Women." Our featured article this month comes to us from Lisa C. Flowers M.D., Director of Colposcopy, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine.
"According to national health statistics there will be an estimated 13,000 new cases of cancer of the cervix diagnosed in the U.S. in 2002 and 4,100 women will die of the disease. In minority populations the rates of new cases and death from cervical cancer are higher than for Caucasian women. Regular screening and access to care are serious obstacles in eliminating this cancer. Of those women who develop cervical cancer, 50% have not had a pap test within 5 years of diagnosis. The health care system, community and patients are key in the fight to assure detection of disease in the precancerous state where survival rate is nearly 100%. Women can make the difference by educating themselves, families and friends about the Human Papilloma virus associated with cancer of the cervix. Perhaps the greatest impact that we as health care providers can have on decreasing cervical cancer is by educating women about the opportunities available for cervical cancer screening and the need for follow-up and possible treatment."
To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/feb02/.
NEW AND UPDATED SECTIONS
Here are this month's new and revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from NWHIC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cancer - http://www.4woman.gov/faq/skincancer.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Weight Loss - http://www.4woman.gov/faq/weight.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Obesity - http://www.4woman.gov/faq/obesity.htm
Screening and Immunization Schedule
NWHIC has also recently added a NEW "Screening and Immunization Schedule" web page as presented in the "Women Living Well, Living Long" Daybook, to our web site. This page, located at http://www.4woman.gov/screeningcharts/, includes information about:
- Why your role in prevention is so important.
- Provides a general screening and immunization guidelines for women
- Recommended screening and immunization for women with higher risk factors
- Medicare covered preventive services.
Print a copy out today and speak with your healthcare provider on your screening status at your next visit.
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
You've made your New Year's resolutions to eat healthier. Let us help you keep them. The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) has made eating healthy easy by providing tasty, low-fat, low-salt, low-cholesterol recipes that not only appeal to the senses, but can be easily prepared in just a few minutes. Start eating healthy by trying one today!!
Beverages:
Breakfast Tortilla Wrap:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4817Spanish - Style Scrambled Eggs:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=567Country Breakfast Casserole:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4841
Lunch:
Southwest Turkey Wrap:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4851Artichoke - Tomato Pizza Bagels:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4844Turkey Vegetable Soup:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=518
Dinner:
Steak Marinated in Beer and Green Onions:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4831Meatloaf with Roasted Vegetables:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=569Thai Chicken with Basil and Vegetables:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4852
Dessert:
Fudgy Chocolate Walnut Pie:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4813Espresso Ice Cream Cookie Wrap up:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4819Crispy Strawberry Napoleons:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=834
OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES and CAMPAIGNS
COMING SOON - Pick Your Path To Health Pocket Planners: These pocket planners target Native American women, Latina/ Hispanic women, African-American women and Asian/ Pacific Islander women. To place an order, call our toll-free information center at: (800) 994-9662 and mention the "Healthy Women Today" newsletter to reserve your copy today.
PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH
http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/ -- this initiative is to help women like you take simple and time-sensitive steps to improve your health. It also provides tools for local communities to promote practical, culturally relevant action steps to wellness. It's never too late to develop a healthy lifestyle. Start with a few easy steps!
FEBRUARY'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Physical Activity: Stay Active. Live Longer
- Play sports with your children.
- Go for a walk during lunch at least twice a week.
- Vary your exercise routine.
- Keep sneakers in your car, so you can take a walk whenever you want to.
Links for additional information on physical activity:
African-American Women:
http://www.4woman.gov/minority/africanamercian.htm
Asian/ Pacific Islander Women:
http://www.4woman.gov/minority/asian.htm
Hispanic/ Latina Women:
http://www.4woman.gov/minority/hispanic.htmAll Women:
http://www.4woman.gov/search/a2zresult.cfm?s1=exercise%20and%20physical%20activity
Call our Information Center at: (800) 994-9662 to place your order for the free PYPTH Community Action Kit and Posters, while supplies last!
You can also join the PYPTH listserve for regular updates and community action steps. Visit our home page for details: http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/stroke.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/fas.htmFrequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Care:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/prenatal.htmA Guide to Children's Dental Health:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZJPK5BDDC&sub_cat=112001 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZT24LYQMC&sub_cat=104How to Spot a Health Fraud:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/699_fraud.htmlSinusitis:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/sinusitis.htmCondoms - Barriers to Bad News:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/298_con.html
For publications on over 800 health topics, check out our health topic search at: http://www.4woman.gov/search/search.cfm or call 1-800-994-WOMAN!.
WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?
In December, NWHIC received 4,994,046 hits to the site, 256,564 web-visitors and 1,466 calls!
California rounds off our year with the most calls to our toll-free Information and Referral line. Help your state become our "number one" state by encouraging your friends, colleagues and family members to call our toll-free services if they need information on women's health topics!
The most popular NWHIC web pages in December were:
On-line Medical Dictionaries and Journals -
http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/references/dictionary.htmFrequently Asked Questions About Women's Health -
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/Healthy Pregnancy -
http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/Daily Women's Health News -
http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/news/Women's Body Image and Health -- body image, nutrition, exercise, eating disorders -
http://www.4woman.gov/BodyImage/The First Trimester -
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/first.htmWomen with Disabilities -
http://www.4woman.gov/wwd/Insomnia -
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/insomnia.htmA Breath of Fresh Air! Independence from Smoking -
http://www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking/Ovulation Calculator -
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/ovulation1.cfm
Our most frequently asked topics were requests for information on: Our Daybook (Women Living Well, Living Long), Aging/ Elderly, Arthritis, Menopause and Osteoporosis.
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