It’s by far the BIGGEST threat to women’s lives in America.
Yet new research reveals the majority of folks have no idea what it is. And most women never see this killer coming.
In fact, two-thirds of Americans can’t name this leading cause of death in women. And that means they can’t spot the warnings signs which could have tragic consequences for millions of Americans.
If you’re thinking it’s breast cancer, you’re in good company. It’s one of the most common guesses people give when asked.
Forty-four percent of men and thirty-three percent of women picked breast cancer when asked. And frankly, I’m not surprised.
Breast cancer has a massive machine behind it. Every October, the pink-washing machine fires up and cranks into gear, and suddenly everything from breakfast cereal to shoes gets the pink treatment.
And with an estimated six MILLION dollars a year being spent on breast cancer research and awareness, it’s no wonder we’re all so focused on it.
But the true number one killer of women is heart disease. In 2017 alone, over 299,000 women died from the disease suffering from heart attacks, heart failure, and fatal arrhythmias.
Heart disease the equal opportunity killer
Okay, I have to admit it’s a bit of a trick question. Because heart disease is the number one cause of death for EVERYONE… regardless of their gender.
It’s no shocker to hear that heart disease kills. We knew that already, of course. The trouble is the majority of folks still think of it as a “man’s disease.” And that’s because men tend to have more obvious symptoms.
Plus, the heart attack warning signs we’ve all been taught to look for aren’t the most common ones in women. In fact, the study finds just one in four has the classic and expected chest pain.
The most common first sign in women? Nausea or vomiting. One or the other… or both… are experienced by six in 10 women having a heart attack.
And the differences between male and female heart attacks don’t stop there.
More than half of women are hit with abrupt and dramatic fatigue. Just under half have sudden pain in the back of the jaw or in the neck. And 28 percent report shortness of breath or sweating.
Protect your heart… and your life
The moral of the story? Heart disease often goes unnoticed, so don’t ignore ANY symptom that that seems out of the ordinary. And that’s especially true if they show up suddenly. Get help ASAP.
If you haven’t reached that point yet, there are steps you can take right now to ensure you never do.
It starts with clearing up another common misconception. The Cleveland Clinic survey finds nearly six in 10 believe – wrongly – that the best way to avoid heart problems is by taking a daily aspirin.
That’s not just a mistake. It’s one that could have some serious fallout. Studies show taking aspirin to prevent a first heart attack can make you much more likely to suffer from dangerous bleeding problems than to get any benefit.
The best way to avoid heart disease… and the killer conditions that go with it… is with a sensible diet, a little weight loss, and some steady daily movement.
Switch to foods you fix yourself instead of processed and packaged meals. Start by limiting the number of carbohydrates you’re eating. Dump all of the junk carbs and cut back on the rest. You’ll find that the extra pounds practically melt off of you when you do.
And then take up some active hobbies you enjoy, like walking, swimming, yoga, or golf. Grab a friend to do them with you, and it will be easier to stick to your new habits.
Don’t let heart disease sneak up on you and snuff YOUR life out. Fight back starting today.
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