Prioritizing Women’s Cardiovascular Health During Heart Month

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

February is Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and encouraging preventive measures to combat heart disease. While heart disease is often perceived as a greater risk for men, it remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Despite this reality, women’s heart health is frequently overlooked, and symptoms often go unrecognized or dismissed. This Heart Month, it’s essential to highlight the unique risks, symptoms, and preventive measures that can help women take charge of their cardiovascular health.

Understanding the Risk Factors for Women

While men and women share many common risk factors for heart disease—such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes—women also face unique risks, including:

  • Hormonal Changes: Estrogen provides some cardiovascular protection, so the risk of heart disease increases after menopause.
  • Pregnancy-Related Conditions: Complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure during pregnancy can elevate a woman’s lifetime risk of heart disease.
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which are more common in women, can increase heart disease risk.
  • Mental Health Factors: Depression, stress, and anxiety disproportionately affect women and can contribute to unhealthy lifestyle habits and increased inflammation.
Recognizing the Unique Symptoms

One major challenge in women’s cardiovascular health is the difference in how symptoms present compared to men. While men often experience the classic “crushing” chest pain during a heart attack, women may have more subtle signs, including:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Pain in the back, jaw, neck, or shoulders
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness

Because these symptoms can be mistaken for less serious conditions, women may delay seeking medical attention, which can have life-threatening consequences.

Prevention is Key

The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable with the right lifestyle choices and proactive healthcare. Here are some essential steps women can take to protect their heart health:

  • Get Regular Checkups: Annual wellness visits can help monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels—key indicators of heart health.
  • Prioritize a Heart-Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce risk factors. Limiting processed foods, excessive salt, and added sugars is equally important.
  • Stay Active: The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Activities like walking, cycling, yoga, and strength training can significantly improve heart health.
  • Manage Stress and Mental Health: Chronic stress and anxiety can take a toll on the heart. Incorporating relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and social connection can support emotional and cardiovascular well-being.
  • Know Your Numbers: Understanding personal health metrics, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI, empowers women to take control of their heart health.
Advocating for Women’s Heart Health

Despite advances in cardiovascular research, gender disparities in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment persist. Women are less likely than men to receive timely heart attack treatment or be included in clinical trials. Raising awareness, advocating for gender-specific research, and empowering women to prioritize their heart health is critical.

This Heart Month, let’s encourage all women to take action by educating themselves, recognizing symptoms, and making heart-healthy choices. Because when women prioritize their heart health, they not only improve their own well-being but also strengthen their families and communities.

Your heart matters—take care of it today!

Office: (205) 417-4711
Email: [email protected]

The Vital Connection Between Oral Hygiene and Heart Health

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

February is not only Heart Month but also National  Dental Health Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the surprising and essential connection between oral hygiene and heart health. While brushing and flossing may seem unrelated to cardiovascular wellness, research continues to show that poor oral health can increase the risk of heart disease. Understanding this link can encourage better preventive care for both your mouth and heart.

Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria, both good and bad. When oral hygiene is neglected, harmful bacteria can build up, leading to gum disease (periodontitis) and inflammation. The inflammation and bacteria from gum infections don’t just stay in your mouth—they can enter your bloodstream and contribute to serious cardiovascular issues, including:

1. Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Studies have found that people with gum disease are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. The chronic inflammation associated with gum infections can lead to narrowed arteries, increasing the chances of heart attacks and strokes.

2. Endocarditis (Heart Infections)

Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and attach to the inner lining of the heart (endocardium), causing infective endocarditis—a dangerous infection that can lead to serious complications or even be fatal.

3. High Blood Pressure and Stroke

Inflammation from poor oral health has been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke. Some research suggests that treating gum disease can help lower blood pressure, improving overall heart health.

Signs Your Oral Health May Be Affecting Your Heart

It’s important to recognize warning signs of poor oral health that could have consequences for your heart. These include:
✅ Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
✅ Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
✅ Receding gums or loose teeth
✅ Pain when chewing
✅ Pus between teeth and gums

Protecting Your Smile and Your Heart

The good news? Maintaining good oral hygiene can reduce inflammation and lower your risk of developing heart disease. Here’s how:

🦷 Brush Twice Daily – Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes to remove plaque and bacteria.
🦷 Floss Daily – Flossing removes bacteria and food particles from between teeth, preventing gum disease.
🦷 Regular Dental Checkups – Visit your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and exams.
🦷 Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet – A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports both oral and heart health.
🦷 Quit Smoking – Tobacco use increases the risk of gum disease and heart problems.
🦷 Manage Chronic Conditions – Conditions like diabetes can worsen both oral and heart health, so keeping them under control is essential.

February serves as a powerful reminder that oral health is heart health. By taking small but consistent steps to care for your teeth and gums, you’re also protecting your heart. This Heart Month and Dental Health Month, commit to prioritizing both your smile and your cardiovascular well-being—because a healthy mouth leads to a healthier heart! 

Stay heart-smart and smile-bright! 😁💖

Office: (205) 417-4711
Email: [email protected]

The Lifesaving Importance of CPR, First Aid, and AED Training During Heart Month

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

February is Heart Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and the importance of lifesaving skills like CPR, First Aid, and AED use. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. When every second counts, knowing how to respond can mean the difference between life and death.

Learning CPR, First Aid, and AED Skills Matters

1. SCA can happen to anyone. 

Many people assume that cardiac arrest only happens to the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions. However, it can affect anyone, including young athletes, seemingly healthy adults, and even children. Without immediate intervention, survival rates plummet, but quick action with CPR and an AED can increase survival rates by up to 70%.

2. Bystander Intervention Saves Lives

Unfortunately, only about 40% of cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from bystanders. Many people hesitate because they lack training or fear doing something wrong. However, hands-only CPR—pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest—can keep oxygen flowing to the brain until emergency responders arrive. The more people trained in CPR, the greater the chances of survival for anyone experiencing cardiac arrest.

3. AEDs Are a Critical Part of Survival

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for public use and can analyze a heart’s rhythm, delivering a shock, if needed, to restore normal function. When combined with CPR, AEDs can drastically improve survival rates. Learning how to locate and use an AED is just as vital as knowing CPR.

4. First Aid Training Prepares You for Emergencies

Beyond cardiac arrest, knowing First Aid helps in a variety of emergencies, from choking and severe bleeding to strokes and allergic reactions. Being equipped with these skills means you can provide critical care in those first crucial moments before professional help arrives.

Heart Month serves as a reminder to take action. Whether it’s signing up for a CPR and AED training course, refreshing your knowledge, or encouraging workplaces and schools to provide training, every effort counts. Many organizations, including the American Heart Association (AHA) and Red Cross, offer classes to empower individuals with the confidence to act in an emergency.

This February, challenge yourself and those around you to become trained in CPR, First Aid, and AED use. When cardiac arrest strikes, will you be ready to respond?  Take action today—because a lifesaving moment may be in your hands.

Office: (205) 417-4711
Email: [email protected]