b'NTION VE SS & PRE LLNE WEA FEW OUNCES OF PREVENTIONthe block, add this to your 30-minute total. We also MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCEknow that getting your heart rate up for 60 to 90 seconds at a time has a significant positive impact WHEN COMBATING HEART DISEASEon heart health.IN WOMEN. KARDIE TOBB, DO, ANDMake Time for Yourself GAYATRI ACHARYA, MD, SHARE THEIRDr. Acharya: So many women put everybody TOP TIPS TO STAVE OFF THE NUMBERelse before themselves. Its so easy to come in ONE KILLER OF WOMEN IN THE U.S. last place. I remember something my parents told me all the time, which is, You cant take care of anybody else unless you take care of yourself. You cant be Know Your Risk around for them if youre not around. Thats what I tell Dr. Tobb: I want women to be empoweredmy patients. Even five minutes a day to put yourself by first understanding their risk for heartfirst is a good place to start. You are an important part disease. There are sex-specific factors that canof this bigger picture that youre trying to sustain. increase the risk of heart disease in women. For instance, adverse pregnancy outcomes, includingTake Advantage ofbut not limited to preeclampsia, gestationalCommunity Resourcesdiabetes and preterm labor, are predictors of riskDr. Acharya: One resource my patients have for future cardiovascular disease. Other diseaseshad a lot of success with recently is Cone Healths like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer,Healthy Weight and Wellness center. Its a structured which are predominant in women, can increaseapproach to weight loss and health management. Its your cardiovascular risk as well. So, please getfrequent check-ins but with a medical spin. Seeking screened, educate yourself, be your own heroout that extra support can really make a difference. and ask questions. Every question is important;Dr. Tobb: Another option is Heart Sisterstherefore, please ask.WomenHeart of Cone Health, a support group that meets at the Cone Health Heart & Vascular Center Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle and consists of women in a variety of age groups.Dr. Tobb: Once you have your riskIts geared toward women who have or who are information, adopt a healthy lifestyle. Pleaseat risk for heart disease. Often, women who have limit the use of alchohol. Please stop smoking. Conemothers who had heart disease are wary of their Health offers a free, eight-session smoking cessationfutures. They ask, What am I supposed to do? Who course that has really helped my patients. And ofcan I talk to? First, discuss this with your primary course, exercise and eat healthier meals. care provider. For a less-intimidating option, you can Dr. Acharya: I agree. Really pay attention to yourmeet with the Heart Sisters. You can contact them at diet. Just remember at least 80% of the timewomenheart@conehealth.com. to make that smart choice. I recommend the Mediterranean diet to my patients.Dr. Tobb is board-certified in general cardiology, nuclear Exercise Regularly cardiology and internal medicine. She practices at Cone Dr. Acharya: I think we underestimate theHealth Medical Group HeartCare at Asheboro and High value of exercise. When we have patientsPoint. She says that the premature death of her aunt, who Chalk lettering by Marley Sodenin their 90s, both men and women, the numbersuffered from undiagnosed heart disease, is part of what one thing they tell me is that they stay active.inspired her to become a cardiologist. Dr. Acharya is board-GayatriRegular exercise is the first thing I recommendcertified in internal medicine, cardiology, cardiovascular CT Acharya, MD Kardie to my patients. In addition to eating healthy, Iand echocardiography. Seeing the difference her physician recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise eachparents made in the lives of their patients inspired her to Tobb, DO day. This can be cumulative. If you take five minutespursue a career in the same field. She is the medical director to climb the stairs or 10 minutes to walk aroundof echocardiography for the Heart & Vascular Center.HEART & VASCULAR / 27'