Women’s heart health quiz

Women are more likely than men to experience “silent” heart attacks. In other words, a woman may not know that she has experienced a heart attack and may not seek proper treatment as a result.

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, tell someone immediately, and call 911 or the emergency number in your area. Never try to drive yourself to the hospital. Don’t ignore heart symptoms!

Many local pharmacies, such as Shoppers Drug Mart, have blood pressure monitors available for easy in-store use. Blood pressure monitors can also be purchased for a reasonable price and used at home. Ask your medical team or local pharmacist about how you can actively monitor your blood pressure and work with your health team to set and achieve blood pressure management goals.

Contrary to popular belief, young women can still be at risk of developing heart disease. It is still important for all women to understand their risks for heart disease. While estrogen levels may have a positive effect on heart health amongst young women, it is still essential that young women consider their risk and incorporate healthy habits for heart disease prevention.

Blood pressure measures the force exerted on your artery walls as your blood circulates through your body. High blood pressure damages the walls of these blood vessels, which then makes blood vessels more likely to become clogged. This can lead to ischemic heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and heart failure. Understanding and managing your blood pressure levels are essential for heart health.

A stroke is caused by the interruption of flow of blood to the brain (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). A stroke is a medical emergency. Recognizing and responding to stroke warning signs is essential. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, over-consumption of dietary sodium is linked with the development of high blood pressure. While watching your diet is important for better heart health, it is important to also watch your sodium intake, especially when consuming processed foods and eating out at restaurants. High sodium can lurk in surprising places such as cereals, bread and even some fruit-flavoured drinks.

Diabetes is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and stroke – especially if blood sugar levels are poorly controlled. If you are managing a diabetes diagnosis, talk to your care team about your risk of heart disease and what you can do to better manage your diabetes and lessen your risk of developing heart disease.