We heart your heart

Feb 7

A red heart with a heartbeat symbol over a pink background with the text "February is American Heart Month"

Did you know…?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.

We heart your heart and we’re here to help make sure that you are staying healthy and living your best life. So let’s get real for a moment. Heart disease–which can refer to several types of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attack–is a big problem in the United States and other industrialized countries. And although heart disease is often considered a “man’s disease,” according to the CDC, almost as many folks assigned women at birth die each year of heart disease in the United States. Unfortunately, medical science and general awareness is just starting to catch up and most people don’t know that symptoms of heart attack and heart failure can present differently in people assigned women at birth. Check out the list below to learn more about silent symptoms.

Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until you have other symptoms or emergencies, including:

Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins

The good news is that you are already on the right track to lowering your risk of heart disease by exercising regularly! Here are some other ways to reduce your risk according to the CDC:

Manage your stress levels. Find healthy ways to lower your stress levels. Learn more about coping with stress.
Know your blood pressure. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Learn more about high blood pressure, including high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Check for diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should be tested for diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes raises your risk of heart disease. Learn more about diabetes, including gestational diabetes.
Know your cholesterol status. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. Learn about getting your cholesterol checked and why it is important.
Quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, learn about how to quit smoking.
Be physically active. Congrats for already riding this train! But if you’re not moving much outside of your studio time, try adding a bit more movement to your day. Daily walks, bike rides, or other gentle cardio activities are great for heart health! Learn more about physical activity.
Choose healthy foods and drinks. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and eat fewer processed foods. Check out our 12-Week Nutrition Program!
Limit how much alcohol you drink. Learn more about alcohol use.