[Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample of this product. I only post giveaways about products I honestly like, or those I think FatFighterTV members would enjoy.]
One in four women dies of heart disease. I know this all too well because that’s what killed my mom years ago. I’m telling you this because I want you to take heart disease seriously. It’s the number one killer of American women, but most women think of it as a disease only men get. My mom had high blood pressure. Do you? Do you even know what your blood pressure is? What about your cholesterol? Your blood sugar? Okay, enough questions… here are some answers.
Since February is all about women and heart health, let’s take a look at what your numbers should be for a healthy heart. (Source: WomenHeart)
Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
LDL “Bad” Cholesterol:
- Optimal: <100 mg/dL
- Near optimal/Above Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
- Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
- High: 160-189 mg/dL
- Very High: 190 mg/dL and above
HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol: 50 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL
Blood pressure: <120/80 mmHg
Fasting Glucose: <100 mg/dL
Body Mass Index (BMI): <25
Waist Circumference: <35 inches
If you don’t know your cholesterol levels, there’s a new campaign that can help you find out. Beautify Your Heart has a lot of great information on how to reduce your risk of heart disease and it also features a Cholesterol Screening Locator – just enter your zip code here to find cholesterol screenings near you.
If you need to lower your cholesterol, studies show fiber can help. Not getting enough fiber in your diet? Here are some tips to sneak it in every day. But if you need a little extra boost, you might want to add Metamucil to your diet – it may help reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering your cholesterol.
This week’s giveaway (part 1)
Which brings us to one of this week’s prizes… Beautify Your Heart is sponsored by Metamucil and WomenHeart. The campaign is giving away a gift bag that includes a package of sugar-free Pink Lemonade Metamucil, coupons to save you money on heart-healthy Cheerios and Bayer aspirin, and lots of valuable information about heart disease and how to prevent it.
This week’s giveaway (part 2)
And since heart health is near and dear to my, well… heart… I thought I would throw in another package. Healthy Ones lunch meats have the seal of approval from the American Heart Association because they are low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Healthy Ones is giving away a coupon for a FREE package of its meats or a 1/2 pound sliced fresh from the deli. Plus a byo thermal Lunch Bag – it keeps your food hot or cold for up to four hours and it stores flat.
How to win it all
Since it’s all about heart health, I want to know what you do to keep your heart healthy, of course! So just head down to the comments and tell me.
A few contest details: It ends at midnight EST this Friday, February 6… you have to have a U.S. mailing address to enter… and a random number generator will pick the winner.
Oh, and don’t forget to wear red this Friday to show your support for women’s heart disease awareness. There’s much more information here.
**Update**
Of course, guys need to be informed as well. Heart disease is the #1 killer of American men, too.
For heart health I started taking CoQ10. I try to eat healthy, but sometimes it isn’t easy! I’m unable to exercise because of a back injury, but I am able to walk and do so as much as possible. What a great giveaway.
Thanks for the great reminder for both men and women to keep on top of our health.
To keep my heart healthy I train for and participate regularly in triathlons. My wife and I also make a point of cooking healthy foods at home.
Blake – Good point – heart disease is the #1 killer of men, too. Glad you and your wife are taking care of yourselves.
I’m going to try to remember the screening – but its at the very end of the month!
I exercise daily. In my 5th and 6th pregnancies, my blood pressure became dangerously high. So, when I became pregnant with my 7th, I started eating healthy and exercising daily. I lost over 40 pounds while still pregnant and my blood pressure remained normal throughout.
I have been taking Metamucil for a couple of months now and oatmeal with fruit is my breakfast of choice most days. I also try to get in an hour walk most days of the week
We eat healthy foods most of the time because I have a hereditary lipid disorder, so no fried foods in our house! Since I am unable to exercise, I take meds to lower my cholesterol and triglycerides and get the necessary blood tests. I sure do miss my pink grapefruit, though!
We eat healthy as much as possible and alot of fresh veggies and fruit. Stear clear of a lot of fat processed foods.
I am hoping my children learn a good way of taking care of their bodies and nourishing it well.
Amy – you better mark your calendar now!
DeeAnn – Has the CoQ10 been helpful?
moonduster – Wow! Seven pregnancies??! You must be busy! Glad you were able to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
Annette – How do you like the Metamucil? Which flavor do you have?
herblady – you can’t have grapefruit?
Trish – Yes, get your kids started early and they will stick to those healthy habits!
I’m only 36, and the high cholesterol runs in our family, so I’m already on medications for the high cholesterol. That, my diet (WW), and exercise are everything I’m doing to try and get off of the meds. and keep my heart healthy.
I work out at least 5 days per week and as a registered dietitian – a heart healthy diet is a must!! Lots and lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and heart healthy fats for me!!
I heat oatmeal!
I try to exercise at least 4 days a week and I eat heart healthy oatmeal and other whole grains.
It can be deadly, depending on what drug you’re on:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/20/health/webmd/main668105.shtml
I have been working out 6 days a week and trying to eat healthier.
LessLisa – It’s hard when you have a risk factor in your family, isn’t it? High blood pressure runs in mine. So like you, I focus on what I can control to be healthy.
wirlwindamy – I totally need to eat more fruits and vegetables like you! I love them – I just get sidetracked sometimes…
Deb T. – 6 days a week – even in the winter? I am impressed.
I try to eat heart healthy foods most of the time and workout when I can.
I have been very focused on adding fiber to my diet. Here are a few of my favorite high fiber finds. Everything FIBER ONE makes especially their original cereal…I think all their stuff tastes great. GNU foods High Fiber Bars…great for afternoon snack and at only 140 calories with a whoppong 12 grams fiber these handy little bars help me over the afternoon lull. And Of course METACUCIL. It’s one of my midmorning staples, I mix up a big glass with water when I get that mid morning tummy growl and it takes me through till lunch.
Theresa – I love Fiber One, too – sometimes I mix it in with other cereals to fiber them up! I have never tried the GNU bars before – I may have to give them a whirl.
I exercise almost every day and I’ve been trying to eat foods that are lower in fat and sodium.
My mom always says that the world would be a better place if metamucil was just added to the water aupply
I always make sure I get whole grains in instead of regular bread. My family has a history of diabetes, so I have tried to do as much as possible to avoid getting it (my mom has it, my aunt, my grandmother). I don’t smoke, drink, or ever have soda. I also try to run 6-7 miles a week and I also ride my bike everywhere I can. Getting fresh fruits and vegetables is also important. I try to eat fish once a week and usually limit the amount of red meat that I take in. I also do breathing exercises time to time, as well as going to the gym at least 5 times a week.
LOL, Dr. J! Did she really say that?????
angelace07 – Good for you for taking control of the things you can – that makes a huge difference. I know what it’s like to have a family history of a disease, but at least there are things we CAN do about it, right?
When I started practice heart disease was thought to be a man’s problem only. Now we know better. Be aware that women’s symptoms of heart attacks may be different than men. I can be just dizziness, jaw or neck pain, fatigue.
DeeAnn says she can’t exercise but walks. Walking is great exercise. So is swimming or water aerobics.
I always try to get whole grains and fiber into my diet as often as possible. I was pleasantly surprised to find the frozen fruit I regularly eat in my morning oatmeal contains 25% of the RDA of fiber. I didn’t really consider the fiber content of fruit. Also, I do try to get in at least a 30 minute walk every day.
Enter me in the sweeps. Thanks
I try to have blood work done each year to make sure my numbers are in check. They are terrific I’m happy to report (and I’m thankful I have good genes!) I eat all of the right foods, but apparently too many of them.
It’s my BMI I’m working on right now with daily exercise and portion control. I’ll keep you posted!
Yes, Caroline – please keep me posted! Oh, and nice gravatar.
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Zumba! I’m taking at least 4 classes a week. Great exercise for the heart — and it makes me happy. I actually look forward to exercising.
I like to eat healthy and exercise on my Wii Fit.
mamamamahoney – Just wondering how you like the Wii Fit?
heidi – I’ve never taken Zumba but I’ve heard it’s great! Glad you look forward to execising – finding something you like doing makes a huge difference.
I eat a low fat diet and take daily supplements. I know it isn’t enough but I just had a full checkup of my heart and so far so good.