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Three Things {Besides Exercise} that Help Women’s Heart Health
Two of my immediate family members have recently had major heart issues, so recent scientific news about women’s health has grabbed my attention. Exercise is a regular part of my life, though, so I shouldn’t have to worry about it, right? Well, friends, I’ve never been one to rest on my laurels, so let’s talk about what else we can do to improve our heart health besides exercise.
Why is women’s heart health such a silent killer?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 299,578 women in 2017—or causing about 1 in every 5 female deaths, according to the CDC. Smoking, physical inactivity, and diabetes are the most commonly listed risk factors for heart disease.
However, women who exercise, don’t smoke, and don’t have diabetes may have these lesser known risk factors:
- Breath holding patterns during stress
- Loss of estrogen during peri/menopause
- Chronically tight chest muscles
- Core dysfunction (i.e. Diastasis Recti)
- Cynical mindset
“One of the best ways to support your overall health and wellbeing rests between your ears. The stories that you tell yourself about who you are, and why things happen, are key determinants of your stress level, health and happiness.”
—B. Grace Bullock, PhD: “Are Your Thoughts Aging You?”
Our Podcast about Women’s Heart Health
If you haven’t already done so, please click here to listen to our podcast with women’s health physiotherapist, Michelle Lyons. She made connections between hearts and fitness and cores that I had never thought of!
3 things {besides exercise} for women’s heart health:
- Mind your mental chatter — Read that quote up there again and please click through to the article. Ask yourself if you tend toward cynicism. The stories we tell ourselves change our blood pressure. Like Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
- Stretch your chest — Your heart needs room, not restriction. Open your arms wide several times a day. Trunk rotation also impacts heart health. If you can’t rotate, chances are your ribs are restricted, which means your heart is, too! This is likely a key reason that physical activity plays such a major role in heart health.
- Breathe, Mama! Breathe! — Here is a free video on our YouTube channel that teaches you some relaxing breathing strategies. You can do them on your back with or without your hips elevated. This video will also help you connect to your core and strengthen it!
What are your thoughts?
Leave a comment and let us know what you think of these additional factors that play into women’s heart health. Have you researched your family’s medical history of heart disease? What is your experience with heart health? Have you taken steps to improve heart health? Share your thoughts!
