Heart disease is the # 1 cause of death among women.
About 40,000 more women have strokes than men each year.
Lung cancer causes more death than any other cancer in women. Breast cancer is the second and colorectal or bowel cancer is third.

Frightened by these statistics, many women are taking either aspirin or vitamin E hoping to prevent heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Some doctors have even been telling their female patients to take an aspirin or vitamin E a day.

Does an aspirin a day really help keep heart disease, stroke, or cancer away?
What about vitamin E?
These questions were answered in the Women’s Health Study (WHS), a 10-year study for women only. National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored the study. The goal of the study was to determine if low-doses of aspirin and vitamin E would lower the chances of a heart attack, stroke, or cancer (lung, breast, and colorectal). The WHS included women ages 45 and older with no history of heart disease, cancer, or any other chronic illnesses.

The WHS findings showed aspirin did not lower the risk of heart disease or cancer in women. Aspirin did lower the risk of stroke, especially in women ages 65 and older. As for vitamin E, it did not prevent heart attacks, strokes, or cancer.

What do these results mean for you?
Every person is different. Your doctor may still advise you to continue or start taking an aspirin even if you are younger than age 65. The American Heart Association advises taking one low-dose aspirin a day if you are at high risk of developing heart disease or stroke. A low-dose of aspirin is usually a “baby aspirin”, 81mg tablets. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you.

How do you know if you are at a high risk?
Your chances of developing heart disease are based on the number of risk factors you have. You cannot control some of the risk factors, such as age, family history of heart disease, or a personal history of heart attack, heart bypass, or other heart problems. Factors you can control include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight, and not exercising.

How can you prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer?
Elizabeth G. Nabel, MD, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, stated “women, like men, should adopt the well proven approaches that reduce the risk of heart disease – eating for heart health, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and controlling high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.”

Your lifestyle is the key to decreasing your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. Here are some tips for a healthier and more active lifestyle:

• Start a group or a team. If you are not motivated or if you need a partner, start a group or a team. Each person will set his or her own goals. You can have rewards, prizes, or treats for the person who reached their goal first or who have made the most improvements. As a group you can also take part in breast cancer and heart disease walks.
• Keep a healthy weight. Do not lose too much weight too fast. You should lose no more than ½ to 2 pounds per week. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight.
• Eat healthy. Cut back on salt, sugars, and eating fast/fried foods.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and blood pressure. Walk at least 30 minutes a day.
• Quit smoking. There are gums, patches, lozenges, and inhalers available to help you kick the habit. Many of these products can be purchased over-the-counter at your pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist to help you find the best product for you.
• Get regular breast exams. Regular breast exams start at the age of 20. Talk to your doctor about which exams you should have. There are some exams you can do yourself. If breast cancer is found and treated early, there is a greater chance of being cured.
• Screen for colorectal cancer. Screening starts at the age of 50. Talk to your doctor about which exams you should have. Early detection is key in treating cancer.
• Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Remember to take your medicines. If you cannot remember, set an alarm clock or place sticky notes around the house. Set weekly or monthly goals to decrease your levels. Monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure regularly. There are even home tests available for cholesterol screening. Ask your pharmacist about these products and free blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings.

A lot of women have been relying on aspirin or vitamin E to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. For some women aspirin may help lower the risk of stroke. However, taking steps to a healthier and more active lifestyle will help women of all ages. Some may say, “It’s easier to just take a pill.” But with the high prices of medicines and the strict rules passed in Mississippi for Medicaid, lifestyle changes will also help your pocketbook. Make a change today. Your health is depending on it.