Take a "virtual look" at the women who are important to you. One of every three of them has cardiovascular disease. In fact, one woman dies every minute from this disease. That’s 480,000 women lost to heart attacks, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular condition - each and every year. But here’s the real kicker - it’s mostly preventable.

Many of us don’t know that this disease kills more women than men. Most of us don’t know that it kills more women every year than the next five causes of death combined. Most of us don’t know that within six years after a recognized heart attack: 35 percent of women will have another heart attack, 11 percent will have a stroke, 46 percent will be disabled with heart failure, and 36 percent will experience sudden cardiac death. But, here’s the real kicker - it’s mostly preventable.

Many women don’t seek treatment when a heart attack is happening to them - they still think that their heart attacks look like the ones they see on television or in movies: an overweight business man, sitting at his desk, clutching his chest, suffering crushing chest pain - "it’s like an elephant sitting on my chest," pain extending into his left arm, and he breaks into a sweat. But it’s not like that. Instead, thirty percent of women don’t have any chest pain prior to developing a heart attack. Forty three percent of women don’t have chest pain of any kind during the actual heart attack. (NIH study titled "Women’s Early Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction").

Women have more unrecognized heart attacks than men. More than two-thirds of ER physicians and nurses in the same study reported that they continue to assess women for chest pain as the primary symptom. However, the most common symptom reported by women having a heart attack was unusual, severe fatigue. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women over the age of 25.

As a woman (or as a man who loves a woman), here’s what you need to know about symptoms prior to and during a women’s heart attack:

The women's major symptoms prior to their heart attack include:
Unusual fatigue - 70%
Sleep disturbance - 48%
Shortness of breath - 42%
Indigestion - 39%
Anxiety - 35%



Major symptoms during the heart attack include:
Shortness of breath - 58%
Weakness - 55%
Unusual fatigue - 43%
Cold sweat - 39%
Dizziness - 39%<

But, here’s the real kicker - it’s mostly preventable. There is a national movement to increase awareness of heart disease in women. It’s called "Go Red for Women." Perhaps you’ve seen its symbol, a "red dress pin" or wearing red on National Go Red for Women Day. Go Red for Women is a program organized by the American Heart Association, with a mission to reduce the risk for women of dying from heart disease. Check it out for yourself on www.goredforwomen.org and take advantage of the on-line healthy heart check-up questionnaire to help you identify your risk. You’ll find ways to reduce your risk, and you’ll see how many ways there are for you to get involved in this National movement to improve women’s heart health.

Because, here’s the real kicker - it’s mostly preventable.

Written by Linda Lemon-Steiner, Chief Operating Officer, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and the 2009 Chairperson for the Go Red for Women Luncheon.

And along with her family,
Linda is a devoted 20 Minutes To Fitness Client for over two years!

"My husband, Kurt, and I were settling into middle age. We both wanted to stay healthy and stay fit. But no matter how much we worked out we both still suffered with sore backs, low stamina, and general aches and pains.

But that all ended when Kurt found 20 Minutes To Fitness and started raving about something called "slow cadence strength training". I thought, sure this really works - all these benefits that Kurt was talking about with only one 20 minute work out a week. I don’t think so!

Then, after a few months, I noticed a marked improvement in his overall fitness. So, I decided to give it a try. Now, we are both hooked.

There is no question about it - there has been great improvement in both our fitness levels. Kurt and I have experienced increased energy levels and no more back pain! I have even noticed that my aerobic training classes have been easier. Kurt is especially excited. His golf game has improved with what he describes as "incredible drives".

20 Minutes To Fitness has strengthened our overall fitness levels, increased our muscle strength, and improved our general well being. We have been loyal Clients of 20 Minutes To Fitness for over two years and would not dream of stopping.

Kristy & Kurt Harriman
Sarasota, Florida

What our Team is eating!

Buffalo Chicken Tenders or Chunks

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper, 1 pound chicken tenders or cut up chicken breast into chunks, ½ cup fat free blue cheese dressing, ¼ cup reduced fat sour cream, 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese.

Preparation:
Combine hot pepper sauce, paprika, and ground red pepper in small bowl - brush on all surfaces of chicken. Place chicken in baking pan coated in nonstick cooking spray, cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Bake in 375? oven, uncovered about 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Makes 10 servings. DIP: Combine fat free blue cheese dressing, reduced fat sour cream and crumbled blue cheese in small bowl. Garnish with Celery and/or Red Bell Peppers.

Per Serving Nutrition Information:
83 calories; 2g fat;5g carbohydrates; 9g protein; 27mg cholesterol;180 mg sodium. Diabetes exchanges: ½ starch/bread. 1 lean meat.

Where our Team is eating!

Recently, a number of our Team members have discovered a wonderful new restaurant in Sarasota - Lonjevity (this really is the correct spelling).

This place is really special: great food, great service, and great prices. And - on top of all of that - it’s all healthy!

The owner, Dr. Gerry Davies, a retired physician, after a career of treating diet related diseases, decided that he would rather try prevention than treatment. He believes (as we do) that health is the foundation of happiness and he started Lonjevity to deliver food that leads to health, happiness, and longevity.

Lonjevity is doing what few others have done - offering healthy food that really does taste great!

Lonjevity is located directly across from Sarasota Memorial Hospital at 1737 South Tamiami Trail (where Mel’s Dinner use to be). 941.366.3139. www.lonjevity.net.