SPEAKER'S GUIDE PRESENTATION

Slide 1—Welcome

Slide 2—A National Campaign

• To help women understand their risk of heart disease and take action
• Especially women ages 40 to 60
• Partnership of many groups
• Red Dress—the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness

Slide 3—Today's Session Will Cover

• Why women need to know about heart disease
• What heart disease is
• Risk factors
• Talking to your doctor
• Taking action
• Surviving a heart attack
• Resources
• Getting on the road to heart health

Slide 4—The Heart Truth

• Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women—no matter what their race or ethnicity
• Heart disease kills 1 of every 3 American women
• Heart disease can permanently damage your heart—and your life

Slide 5—The Heart Truth

• Heart disease is a "now" problem
• "Later" may be too late

Slide 6—What Is Heart Disease?

• Heart doesn't get enough nutrient-rich blood
• Chronic—develops over years
• Atherosclerosis—arteries harden as cholesterol, fat, and other substances build up in artery walls
• Blockage can result in heart attack

Slide 7—No Quick Fix

• Not "fixed" by surgery or procedures, such as bypass and angioplasty
• Worsens if not treated—leads to disability or death

Slide 8—Good News

• Heart disease can be prevented or controlled
• Treatment includes lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication

Slide 9—Why Me? Why Now?

• Risk rises ages 40-60
  • Estrogen level drops during menopause
• Risk factors
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Overweight/obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of early heart disease
  • Age (55 and older for women)

Slide 10—Heart Disease Risk Factors

• Multiply their effects
• Same lifestyle steps prevent/control many of the risk factors

Slide 11—Have a Heart-to-Heart

• Ask your doctor about your risk of heart disease
• Draw up a list of questions before your visit
• Write down or tape record what the doctor says
• Tell your doctor your lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking or being physically inactive

Slide 12—Key Tests for Heart Disease Risk

• Blood pressure
• Blood cholesterol
• Fasting plasma glucose (diabetes test)
• Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference
• Electrocardiogram
• Stress test

Slide 13—Why Women Don't Take Action Against Heart Disease

• They don't put their health as a top priority
• They think they're not old enough to be at risk
• They feel too busy to make changes in their lives
• They're already feeling stressed
• They're tired

Slide 14—How To Lower Heart Disease Risk

• Begin today
• Be physically active—30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week
• Follow a healthy eating plan
  • Low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and moderate in total fat
  • Limit salt and sodium
  • If you drink alcoholic beverages, have no more than one a day

Slide 15—How To Lower Heart Disease Risk

• Maintain a healthy weight
  • Balance calories taken in with those used up in physical activity
• Stop smoking
• Manage diabetes
• Take medication, if prescribed

Slide 16—Heart Attack Warning Signs

• Chest discomfort
  • Usually in the center of the chest
  • Lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
  • Can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Slide 17—Heart Attack Warning Signs

• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Other symptoms, such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness

Slide 18—To Survive a Heart Attack

• Call 9-1-1 within minutes—5 minutes at most
• Emergency medical personnel will begin treatment at once
• Don't drive yourself to the hospital
• Uncertainty is normal—don't be embarrassed by a false alarm
• Plan ahead
• Learn the warning signs

Slide 19—Resources for a Healthy Heart

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  • www.hearttruth.gov
• American Heart Association
  Go Red for Women
  • www.americanheart.org
• Office on Women's Health, DHHS
  National Women's Health Information Center
  • www.womenshealth.gov
• WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
  • www.womenheart.org

Slide 20—It All Begins With You

• Take one step at a time
• Replace unhealthy habits with healthier ones
• Eat for heart health
• Remember that calories count
• Start walking—try 10 minutes and add time gradually to get 30 minutes a day

Slide 21—How To Keep Going

• View changes as new lifestyle, not quick fixes
• Set realistic goals
• Buddy up
• Don't worry about a slip
• Reward your success
• Be your own advocate—ask questions and seek information

Slide 22—The Heart Truth

• It's up to you to protect your heart health—start today!