There are more diseases that kill women in the US than you might think. Women in the United States are more likely to die from one of three medical conditions:
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), the number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease. Many believe men are more susceptible to heart disease when actually 1 out of every 3 women in the U.S. will die from heart disease. In fact, 90% of U.S. women have a least one or more of the risk factors for heart disease. Here are some recommendations to help lower your risk:
Studies show you can lower your risk of heart disease within only one to two years after you kick the habit.
Cholesterol builds up in your heart and arteries increasing your risk of developing heart disease. Check out this list of 5 lifestyle changes that can help you lower cholesterol.
Studies show as little as 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day can help lower the risk of heart disease by up to 30 to 40 percent. If you can’t devote 30 minutes straight to exercise, break it up into three 10-minute intervals.
Even if you are a normal weight, if you carry excess weight around your midsection, you increase your risk for heart disease because your risk of high cholesterol is greater.
Almost 25% of deaths for women in the U.S. are caused by cancer, predominantly breast, skin, lung, uterine, and colorectal cancers. Multiple known cancer risk factors include smoking, poor diet, obesity, excessive sun exposure, and lack of exercise. To lower your risk, researchers recommend:
Eliminating your smoking habit is the number one recommendation to reduce your cancer risk. One-third of all cancer deaths in the United States are related to smoking. Talk to your doctor about action plans if you are ready to quit smoking.
Reduce the amount of red meat and processed foods you eat, drink in moderation, and increase your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Here’s a list of 6 cancer-causing foods researchers recommend you avoid to help reduce your cancer risk.
Studies show regular exercise reduces the risk of many cancers including colon cancer and breast cancer. 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week or 75 minutes of hard aerobic activity is recommended.
Always wear sunscreen, even during the winter months, to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Midday sun is the harshest, so do your best to stay in the shade. It’s also a good idea to check regularly for irregular moles and new skin anomalies and schedule yearly skin checks with your dermatologist.
20% of women in the U.S. will suffer a stroke in their lifetime and approximately 55,000 more women than men in the U. S. experience strokes each year. Stroke risk is increased in women who are pregnant, on birth control, use hormone replacement therapy, or have migraines. Here’s what you can do to decrease your risk:
You can reduce your risk of stroke by 25% if you regularly engage in moderate to vigorous exercise.
Drinking 5 or more 8-ounce glasses of water each day cuts stroke risk while only one sugary drink daily increases stroke risk by a whopping 83%. More incentive to grab some H2O!
This habit can increase your risk of stroke by up to 50%.
Studies show women who sleep 10 or more hours a night have a 63% greater risk of suffering a stroke. Snoring may also contribute to stroke risk so tell your doctor if you snore.
Successfully surviving and recovering from a stroke depends on how quickly you receive medical treatment. It is imperative to receive medical treatment to treat the effects of stroke within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms. According to the National Stroke Association, pay attention to these warning signs and seek medical treatment immediately:
Neurologist Diana Greene-Chandos, M. D., explains “Women shouldn’t ignore their symptoms or hope they will go away because they may lose their opportunity to receive acute treatment.” If you have questions about whether your stroke or cancer diagnosis may qualify as a class action claim, contact Becker Law Office for a free consultation.
