/ APRIL 2020 91
BE AWARE OF
THE SYMPTOMS
Signs can be subtle, but
take any changes—such as unusual
shortness of breath (especially
when lying down), excessive
fatigue, and swelling in the legs,
ankles, feet, or abdomen—
seriously. “Women often ignore
symptoms because they’re busy
taking care of everyone else,”
says Lili A. Barouch, M.D., an
associate professor of medicine
in the division of cardiology at
Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine.TAKE STEPS
TO PREVENT IT
Controlling blood
pressure is key, says Dr. Sidney.
Hypertension pushes the heart
to work harder, so it enlarges
and becomes less efficient.
Managing diabetes is also a
must—chronically high blood
sugar can damage heart blood
vessels. Keep both conditions
under control by eating aThe Quiet
Heart Risk
THE BASICS
Heart failure doesn’t
mean the heart hasgiven out or quit beating (that’s
cardiac arrest). It means the
muscle no longer pumps blood
throughout the body as well as it
should, usually because it’s too
weak, thick, or stiff. It’s a serious
condition, but most patients can
live a normal life with appropriate
Dr. Sidney’s research shows
that heart failure–related deaths
are rising in younger and older
women, likely due to increases
in obesity and type 2 diabetes,
two risk factors for the condition.
Hypertension, or high blood
pressure, is also a risk factor,
as it makes the heart work less
effectively over time. In fact,
blacks (who have a higher risk of
hypertension) are 20 times as likelyThere’s a lot of misinformation
about heart failure that could put
you in danger. Learn about the
condition, including must-knows
that could save your life.
BY RACHEL MORRIS