6 Tips for Healthy Aging
It's a new year, full of opportunity, promise, and hope. While no one knows what 2015 will bring, there is one truth we can't escape: we're all older than we were last year. Aging is a natural part of life, and it's up to us to make the most of it. To me, that means being active and feeling my best. No matter your age, you can feel your best, too! Here are six easy ways you can stay active and healthy in 2015.
- Eat smart. I know it's not always easy to eat well. But a healthy diet can reduce your risk for women's major health problems — heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Start by making small changes. Pick leaner proteins (lean beef, chicken, and fish) and whole grains. (Not sure what to do with whole grains? Check this out.) Swap sugary drinks for water, and pick fat-free and low-fat milk products. I also work fruits and vegetables into every meal. Top your morning cereal with berries, and add vegetables to pasta and casserole dishes. My last piece of food advice is to cook at home as much as possible. Why? It gives you more control over what you eat. Need healthy recipe ideas? Check out the MyPlate Recipes Pinterest board (link is external).
- Move more. Exercise is one of Mother Nature's best anti-aging remedies. Regular exercise not only helps you live longer, but it also helps you sleep better, stay at a healthy weight, and feel good about yourself. Plus, it can be a lot of fun. How much exercise do you need? Aim for two and a half hours (about 30 minutes a day) of moderately intense activity a week (such as brisk walking) and two or more days of strength training that works all major muscle groups (such as sit-ups and lifting weights). Whether it's gardening, yoga, or hiking, finding activities you enjoy can make it easier to stick with it. Need inspiration? Try these easy exercises.
- Ditch the tobacco. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health — and for the health of those around you. There's no denying that quitting is tough. Ex-smokers say it's one of the hardest things they've ever done, and many quit more than once before they were successful. But they did it, and so can you. Visit women.smokefree.gov for free tools and resources to help you or someone you love quit smoking for good. And don't forget to check with your insurance provider to see if — thanks to the Affordable Care Act — your plan offers no-cost services and medications to help you quit smoking.
- Monitor your health. Schedule your well-woman visit every year. Even if you feel fine, a yearly visit allows you to connect with your doctor or nurse. It's your time to get important screenings and to discuss your health habits, family history, and future plans for your health, such as wanting to get pregnant or needing an effective family planning method. It also gives your doctor or nurse a chance to identify problems early, when they're easiest to treat. The best part? The Affordable Care Act requires most private insurance plans to cover your well-woman visit and preventive screenings at no additional cost to you.
- Don't forget your "Me Time." Life gets busy. And if you're like me, every time you cross something off your to-do list, you add five more things. Let's put ourselves on our to-do lists. Carve out time just for you every day — even if it's only a few minutes. Do something you enjoy or that feels relaxing and satisfying. Maybe it's meditating, an early morning walk, or a cup of tea and a crossword puzzle. (I like to knit.) Do whatever feels good and helps you de-stress.
- Be sun smart. Being safe in the sun isn't just for summer days at the beach. Whenever you're in the sun — even during the winter — you're exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, immune suppression, and cataracts. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, like wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and hats and sunscreen every day. Your daily moisturizer or foundation may already have sunscreen, but you'll want to use products with SPF 30 or higher. Also be sure it offers broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. And remember those sunglasses — they protect your eyes from sun damage. For more tips, check out these sun safety action steps for you and the whole family.
Let's make the most of the years ahead! Small changes can make a big difference in your overall health, so take one step toward a healthier you today.
Putting Down My Phone: A Resolution
A few months ago I broke my arm when I took a fall. That in itself isn't notable (except for me!); falls happen to the best of us. What made this different — and a little bit humbling — was that at the time I was checking my phone to see when the next bus would arrive. I didn't see the two steps down on the sidewalk.
I was doing what millions of American women do every day — paying more attention to my phone than my surroundings. Smart phones aren't only for teens anymore. Like many women, I use my phone to keep up with the news, take pictures, email coworkers, and shoot off quick texts to my kids and friends, usually while on the go. Sometimes it just feels easier to look something up or dash off a text instead of waiting until I get where I'm going or I see the person again. But you know this. You probably do it, too.
What you may not realize is that using your phone takes quite a bit of attention. In fact, the seemingly simple act of texting takes so much attention that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed it "especially dangerous" to do while driving. Common driving distractions — including using a cell phone, texting, eating, turning on Bluetooth, and using GPS systems — all increase the risk of crashing by being visually, manually, and/or mentally distracting. Because texting takes your eyes off of the road (visual distraction), your hands off of the wheel (manual distraction), and your mind off of driving (mental distraction), it is one of the most dangerous distractions for drivers of all ages. And before you think, "I would never text in the car!" don't forget: Facebooking, tweeting, working a GPS map, and fumbling to turn on your Bluetooth are just as distracting.
Not convinced to put down your phone yet? Think about these statistics:
- When you text while driving, your eyes are off of the road for an average of 5 seconds. If that doesn't sound like a lot, I challenge you to close your eyes and count to 5. Would you drive with your eyes closed for that long?
- Your risk of crashing doubles when you text. It triples when you look for your phone to answer a call or text, look up a number, or dial a number.
- Over 660,000 people are using their phones, GPS, or other electronic device while driving at this very moment.
- In 2012, teens 15–19 made up 14% of phone-distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes. But it's not just a teen problem. That same year, 57% of drivers involved in fatal crashes who were distracted by their phones were 20–39.
- In 2012, 28,000 people were injured and 415 killed in crashes where at least one of the drivers was using a cell phone in some way. Sometimes both drivers were using their phones.
For me, that last number is truly devastating. Over 400 people lost their lives in one year because someone didn't want to put down their phone. We all think we're good multitaskers. But using your phone while driving is not multitasking. It's taking attention away from the most important task at hand: controlling a vehicle.
Do you want to make a difference? Join me in committing to these simple changes:
- Put your phone away when you get behind the wheel. It's that simple. Do anything you need to do before you turn on the engine. If you know you'll need to take a call, get your hands-free system ready ahead of time.
- Be honest with yourself. Being stopped at a red light does not mean it's okay to post a picture of the cute bumper sticker on the car in front of you. You still need to focus your attention on the road, other vehicles, and any pedestrians or bicyclists in the area. Just because you're not moving does not mean you're no longer responsible.
- Tell your family and friends that you won't be calling or texting from the road. Texting a simple "#X" before you leave lets your loved ones know that you will be out of touch until you reach your destination. If someone calls or texts you and you're tempted to pick up your phone, ask yourself, "Can it wait? Is it worth hurting someone? Is it worth hurting myself?"
- Talk to your kids about the dangers of using a phone while driving. Be frank with them: People die because of distracted driving. But you have to follow through, too. Being a good role model means saying it AND doing it.
- Hold your family and friends accountable. Speak up! Refuse to text or talk with someone who's driving. If you're in a car with a driver who needs to use her phone, offer to do it for her. You wouldn't let a friend drink and drive — let's be accountable for each other when it comes to using our phones, too.
I was lucky. My wakeup call came when I was on foot and no one else was in danger. But I urge you not to wait until something serious happens. Please join me in making a simple, but powerful, New Year's resolution: Let's put down our phones, rest our hands on the steering wheel, and keep our eyes on the road. Together we can make driving safer.
For more information about texting and cell phone use while driving, visit Distracted Driving, What Is Distracted Driving?, Driver Electronic Device Use in 2012, and Distracted Driving 2012.
Spotlight on Women's Health
An Interview About Living With HIV/AIDS: Maria Mejia
March 02, 2015
There is life and love after an HIV diagnosis. That’s the message Maria Mejia, an activist and woman living with AIDS, wants to share in honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) on March 10.
As an ambassador for NWGHAAD, Maria is joining the Office on Women's Health to shed light on the impact HIV/AIDS has on women and girls. Because there are women all across the country who are affected by HIV/AIDS — just like she is — she feels passionately about putting a face to the disease. She offers support and hope to reduce the stigma, and increase knowledge about HIV/AIDS preventive, care, and treatment. Maria talks about living with HIV/AIDS.
Maria Mejia is the co-author of From a Warrior's Passion and Pain, a real-life account of her 25-year battle with HIV/AIDS. She wants to send the message that she is far more than just a condition. Today, Maria lives in Florida with her wife Lisa. She continues to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Q: How long have you been HIV-positive?
A: I have been living with HIV for almost 26 years. I was infected at 16 and diagnosed at 18. It was 1991. After 10 years of not getting treatment and refusing it, I was diagnosed with AIDS. I also had cancer in my uterus.
Q: You waited nearly 10 years to start receiving treatment. Why?
A: I was afraid and young. At the time, they were giving large doses of AZT [an anti-HIV drug also known as ZDV, or zidovudine]. It was my only option, and they wanted me to sign a waiver that said it could damage my internal organs. I was scared.
I almost died because of the decision not to take meds.
Q: Why did you finally decide to get care?
A: I was diagnosed with AIDS with a T-cell count of 39. I also had cancer in my uterus. This is why I decided to get on medication. I just wanted to live. I was given one month to live if I didn’t start my medications. I am so glad I chose to live, because I love life. I was a caterpillar that turned into a butterfly that is going all over the world spreading the message of hope! My mission is simple: Give hope to the hopeless and save lives by sharing my life story. I also have accomplished many important things. I have the love of my life, Lisa; family; and friends that love me. Most importantly, I love myself!
Q: What’s your advice to women and girls who have been recently diagnosed with HIV?
A: I want them to understand that there is life after HIV/AIDS. The most important things are to love yourself, take your medicine, and live a very healthy lifestyle. I have come so far! I will never give up. You have to fight till your last breath. On hard days, I know my spirit is stronger than my body. I am a very spiritual human being, and this helps me keep on trucking.
Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about living with HIV/AIDS?
A: The biggest misconception is that you are going to die! That your life is over and no one will ever love you with this condition! This is far from the truth. You can live a full life with HIV/AIDS. I may be living with AIDS, but first I am a woman. Just follow your treatment plan and do not let a virus define you.
Q: You were young when you were diagnosed. Has your status affected your romantic relationships?
A: I have been blessed! No one has ever rejected me. I am upfront, and I have learned to have high self-esteem. I also pick people that are educated about the disease. You can teach people how you want to be treated. Never settle.
I am very happy and married to the love of my life, Lisa. She is my soulmate and partner in life. We have been together for eight and a half years and she is HIV-negative.
Q: What do you think needs to happen to reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS?
A: People have to start coming out of the HIV/AIDS closet. The more we come out and show our faces with no shame, the more we humanize this condition. No more shame! No more stigma!
Q: Why should women and girls know their status?
A: Women and girls should take control of their health. Know your status for yourself and for the person you are involved with. Getting tested helps you take control of your health. If you happen to have HIV, you can get treatment and live a long life. If you are negative, you can take steps to remain that way.
Q: How can others show their support of women and girls living with HIV/AIDS?
A: It is important that people support us and get educated! This way they can teach their communities and maybe we can get to zero new infections. This is my dream.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: I am honored to be one of the women chosen to be an ambassador for NWGHAAD 2015. My mission in life is simple: Give hope to the hopeless and prevent new infections. Together, we can work to end the stigma and get to zero new infections. I urge everyone with HIV/AIDS to take their medications and use condoms!
Remember, we are more than a virus. HIV/AIDS is not a moral condition; it is a human condition.
Visit the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day website to learn more about the observance and how you can participate.
To learn more about preventing HIV/AIDS, getting tested, and living with HIV/AIDS, visit our section on HIV/AIDS.
Stepping Out of the Shadows, Together for Women & Girls
Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the The White House Blog. The original post date was March 10, 2015.
Today, the Office of National AIDS Policy, Office of the Vice President, and the White House Council on Women and Girls commemorate the 10th observance of National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Along with other federal, national, and community organizations and advocates, today we celebrate our accomplishments to date in improving the lives of women and girls affected by HIV and recognize the work still ahead.
Our observance highlights the strides we have made in HIV prevention and care for women and girls across the United States. The introduction of antiretroviral drugs means that fewer women die from AIDS and pregnant women have reliable means by which to protect their babies from the virus. In fact, rates of mother-to-child transmission continue to fall, despite more women with HIV giving birth. Under the Affordable Care Act, new health plans are now required to cover HIV screening without cost sharing, for everyone aged 15 to 65, pregnant women, and others who may be at increased risk.
But our work is far from over: Today, only about half of women living with HIV receive medical treatment, and only 2 in 5 have achieved viral suppression. Women face unique challenges and barriers to care, not the least of which is violence. Sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV) dramatically affect women's access to HIV prevention and treatment. IPV, which often includes forced sex, increases a woman's risk of contracting HIV and reduces her ability to demand prevention measures such as monogamy and condom use. In fact, women in abusive relationships have four times the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, than women in non-abusive relationships. Women in abusive relationships may delay testing and treatment out of fear of violence, and those who have been forced to have sex are less likely to ever have been tested for HIV. Women living with HIV who experience violence also have four times the rate of antiretroviral failure, compromising their long-term health even further.
Women who are HIV-positive are also at a higher risk of physical violence. Fifty-five percent of women living with HIV face intimate partner violence, double the national rate, and they risk provoking an abusive partner if they share their positive status.
It is easy to dismiss these as problems of other women, or other people. But they are issues that affect us all. Women from all walks of life are at risk — our mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, friends, and coworkers. If we are to empower women to protect their health no matter their HIV status, we must address women's unique HIV and IPV risks with targeted research and policy decisions.
That's why in 2012, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum establishing a federal interagency working group to begin addressing the intersection of these overlapping epidemics. Last October, we released the first annual update of implementation progress, and today we are proud to announce new actions by both federal agencies and community organizations to implement our recommendations:
- The Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have collaborated to support a $9 million interagency agreement to fund transitional housing for women living with HIV who may be experiencing violence. Today, DOJ and HUD announced the release (link is external) of the federal notice for comment for these new grant opportunities that will be available later this spring.
- HHS Office of Adolescent Health has issued a new funding opportunity to support the launch of a national HIV/AIDS resource center that will provide innovative HIV prevention efforts for teens and adolescents. The new resource center will promote the implementation of evidence-based best practices targeted to adolescent youth.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (link is external), funded by the HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the results of their recent survey of users of their service, on knowledge of HIV risk factors, recent HIV testing, and knowledge about HIV services and resources — data that will inform gaps in knowledge among the community about the intersection of HIV and violence.
- The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC), which has also received funding from ACF, announced its commitment to convene four regional roundtables in high-HIV—prevalence neighborhoods to bring together leaders in the domestic violence and HIV fields in the local African-American community to discuss, in conjunction with the local department of health, how HIV and domestic violence silos can be broken down at the local level for women at highest risk.
Now we ask that you join us by becoming part of a community that stands together to improve the lives of all women in the United States. Together, we will continue supporting women and girls, fighting for their right to health, safety, and well-being, and moving toward the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
Breaking Down Stigma — I Care About HIV/AIDS
Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the AIDS.gov blog. The original post date was March 11, 2015.
Editor's Note: For National Women and Girls Day, March 10th, Gail T. Crockett (link is external), the Director of Strategic Supply Chain at McDonald's Corporation, produced the following blog as part of the AIDS United Shero Series — Highlighting Women Making a Difference in the Field.
I am not HIV-positive. But I care. In fact, I think it is vitally important for all of us to care about the well-being of those that are living with HIV/AIDS. After all, we care about people with cancer. We care about people with Alzheimer's and diabetes. But a stigma remains when it comes to HIV and AIDS.
More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and more than 650,000 people in the United States have died while diagnosed with AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it's not just a male disease. Women account for 1 in 4 of those living with HIV in the United States. In particular, women of African-American and Hispanic descent are disproportionately affected in all stages of HIV.
Maybe I care because I am a black woman. Or perhaps I'm passionate about this issue because I've witnessed how AIDS, once contracted, isolates people, forcing those living with it to deal with a disease almost entirely alone. I think it's important to increase awareness that people living with HIV and AIDS are just like you and me.
The reality is that most of the more than 1 million people living with HIV, and even many of those living with AIDS, remain effective contributors in the workplace. They are productive managers and lawyers and engineers. What's unfortunate is that the very environment where people with HIV spend most of their energy — at the office — it may be the very place where too often they receive very little support.
Imagine if a breast cancer patient had no one to talk to about her disease from 9 to 5, or a severe diabetic was not able to lean on a friendly colleague sitting in the next cubicle. With the demands and stress that permeate through today's workplaces, every employee, no matter their personal circumstances, deserves support.
I recently read the story on WebMD (link is external) of one young woman who was born HIV-positive. Other than having to take medication every day, she was a fully-functioning young lady. And yet, she struggled with the challenge society creates for those living with HIV or AIDS. "I would never tell someone I was not close to," she wrote. "Even when I do feel close enough to someone to tell them, I wonder: Are they going to say, 'Get away from me! Don't touch me!' The truth is that people really do look at you differently when they know you are HIV-positive."
Sure, each person's right to privacy is the issue. If an individual does not want to discuss his or her personal challenges in the workplace, that personal and legal right must be respected. But for some managing and fighting HIV or AIDS, the time may come when they choose to share news of their battle. At some point they may want to share personal information as a means of finding support that helps them break through a tough emotional period and continue contributing value to the team.
Although there has been progress in many workplaces, there are still work environments where people struggle with full disclosure. We shouldn't look differently on those with HIV or AIDS. We should embrace and value their ideas and life experiences. I'm fortunate and proud to manage supplier diversity as one of my job accountabilities, and I'm sensitive to the closely linked topic of inclusion. We obtain the best solutions at work by including perspectives from the diversity of individuals, their experiences, and companies we work with. Often, the diversity and inclusion discussion does not include HIV or AIDS. Why leave it out of the discussion? HIV and AIDS awareness is critical. We have to understand the facts about the disease so we can respect our colleagues free of the misperceptions and stereotypes often associated with HIV and AIDS.
This blog is part of the AIDS United (link is external) Shero Series —Highlighting Women Making a Difference in the Field.
Gail T. Crockett (link is external) is a member of the AIDS United Board of Trustees. She is Director of Strategic Supply Chain at McDonald's Corporation, and a 20-plus year veteran of corporate America.
Life After an AIDS Diagnosis
I don't think anything can prepare you for the moment when they unveil the piece of paper that contains your fate. Even though the odds seemed to be against me, I was not prepared to be told I had HIV. Turns out, the doctor had worse news: It was actually an AIDS diagnosis and the doctor gave me 3 to 6 months to live.
Almost 12 years year later, I look back and can still feel the hopelessness after hearing the news. I was in disbelief of what seemed inevitable. By that time in my life, I had lost many family members to AIDS. I was born and raised in Zambia, and it felt like we lost a generation to AIDS.
The support and encouragement of family, faith leaders, and colleagues saw me through the sickness, depression, and stigma that came with the diagnosis. Thankfully, I received life-saving medication and treatment.
Life after my diagnosis
I met my husband when he visited Zambia on a mission trip. I still think he is crazy for falling in love with me, and he thinks I am crazy for marrying him. I guess we are crazy in love. The acceptance that I have found in my husband and his family is a miracle in itself. I had given up all hope of getting married because of my status, so the acceptance that I found in my husband and his family feels like a miracle.
We both knew we wanted children, but it was a scary prospect. There were so many "what ifs," including the thought that I might not be able to see my child grow up.
We went out of our way to find and work with a doctor who could help us prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and perform a C-section to ensure the health of our child.
My first son was born HIV-free in 2009. We had a second son in 2011. Both my sons and my husband remain HIV-negative.
My life feels like a miracle, but it's also just as crazy as everyone else's. My life is all about kindergarten, music lessons, birthday parties, Christmas, Transformers Rescue Bots, and Power Rangers. Other than taking two antiretroviral (HIV medication) pills at bedtime — a drastic change from taking six to 10 pills twice a day — my life as a working mum is practically normal.
Today, I work with an organization providing direct services to women of color who are living with or at increased risk of HIV in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
I believe I have a responsibility to educate women and create awareness about HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. I want all women living with HIV/AIDS to have an opportunity to access care and, should they desire, to find love and start a family. You, too, can have an HIV-negative child.
I know that education and awareness will help reduce stigma, too. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others realize that HIV/AIDS doesn't define you. I may be a woman living with AIDS, but more importantly, I am a mother, wife, and advocate.
Join Martha and be part of a community that stands together to fight HIV/AIDS — learn how you can support National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The statements and opinions in this blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.
No One Should Be for Sale
For most of my federal career, portraits of Harriet Tubman and Ida B. Wells have hung on my wall. These "s/heroes" remind me that freedom is precious and vulnerable populations need targeted attention, protection, and assistance. I am honored to work with abolitionists in the public and private sectors to end human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery.
Human trafficking is the insidious, widespread, and profitable crime of forcing, tricking, or coercing a person into labor services or a commercial sex act. Additionally, any child under 18 in the commercial sex industry is a victim of sex trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion. Enactment of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 makes these crimes a violation of federal law. Most at risk are the girls, boys, men, and women who are vulnerable because of their life circumstances (e.g., involvement in foster care or criminal justice systems, homelessness, poverty, or debt bondage).
President Obama has declared January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, calling on the nation to bring an end to those who are locked in compelled service and stripped of their human rights. Organizations across the country are holding anti-trafficking events and sharing ways for professionals and everyday citizens to learn more and do more to prevent human trafficking and help survivors. For example, the American Psychological Association recently released a Report of the Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls (link is external) to raise awareness and make recommendations.
On the federal level, much is being done to combat all forms of human trafficking. One powerful organizing tool is the first-ever Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States, 2013—2017. This five-year plan strengthens the country's ability to help victims through greater coordination, collaboration, and capacity. The Plan's 250 actions are being implemented, tracked, and reported to the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking.
One specific action being taken by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will enhance the health care system's response to human trafficking. In September 2014, with support from HHS' Office on Women's Health, the HHS Administration for Children and Families piloted the SOAR to Health and Wellness training initiative for health care professionals. SOAR asks health care professionals to "Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond" to human trafficking by considering, "Who is in your waiting room?" Providers also learned the risk factors and signs of trafficking and how to identify resources for victims.
Awareness is the first step towards action. With more than 20 million people in modern slavery around the world, I urge every person in every profession to learn more about human trafficking, because as the President states, "our people and our children are not for sale."
To learn more about human trafficking and federal efforts to prevent and combat it, visit End Trafficking and SOAR to Health and Wellness. If you suspect you have come into contact with a victim of human trafficking, go to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (link is external) or call 888-373-7888.
How victims are trafficked
Force — Traumatizing a victim through rape, beatings, or confinement.
Fraud — Making false offers to induce a victim into an exploitive situation.
Coercion — Persuading a victim to believe the failure to perform an act would result in serious harm to the victim or their family.
Spotlight on Women's Health
An Interview About Heart Disease: Yaskary Reyes
February 01, 2015
Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States — surpassing stroke, diabetes, and even cancer? In honor of American Heart Month, we spoke with Yaskary Reyes. Yaskary is an ambassador for The Heart Truth®, a program sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that strives to educate women about heart disease and motivate them to take steps to prevent it. She is also living with heart disease.
Due to her unusually strong family history of heart disease, Yaskary's experience is not typical for most women. However, her story makes a compelling case for being aware of your own personal risk factors for heart disease. Yaskary talks about what women should know about heart disease and how she manages it.
Yaskary Reyes is a woman living with heart disease. As an ambassador for The Heart Truth®, she wants all women to know what steps they can take to prevent or manage heart disease.
Q: Can you tell us about The Heart Truth® campaign and why you got involved?
A: The Heart Truth® is a wonderful, beautiful, and impactful program that appeals to women of all ages and backgrounds. The program uses the Red Dress?, the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness, to portray, motivate, and bring attention and awareness to heart disease. I got involved withThe Heart Truth® because of my connection with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. I am a WomenHeart Support Network Coordinator and a Heart Champion. WomenHeart advocates for women with heart disease or those at risk. I feel very passionately about awareness and how it can lead us to take important steps to advocate for our own heart health.
Q: What do you think women should know about heart disease?
A: Heart disease has no respect for age, gender, background, or physical appearance. It can be a silent killer, and women need to be proactive about being aware of symptoms, risks, and hereditary factors.
Q: What advice would you give to other women about their heart health?
A: Be an advocate for your own heart health! Learn to identify the signals that our bodies give and know the risks associated with the disease.
Because we tend to multitask by being mothers and wives, often while working outside our homes, there are times that doctors would tell us that we are just stressed, but we need to persist in having further tests when we know that it is not merely stress. On a Saturday morning, my younger sister, 51, went to her doctor's office crying. She had all of the symptoms of a heart attack. Her doctor questioned her as to why she was crying and told her that she was stressed and sent her home with painkillers. The following day, while having lunch at a restaurant, she almost had a cardiac arrest. I had already spoken with my sister about calling 911 if she felt symptoms again; this saved her life! The ER doctor told her that if she had gone home from the restaurant instead of to the ER, she would not have survived.
Q: Women may know that high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and being overweight are risk factors for heart disease. What other risk factors do you think women should be aware of?
A: In my case, a strong family history/genetic factor on both sides of my family.
My mom and dad both died of heart disease — it runs in both sides of my family. My mom was only 38 when she died of a heart attack. I was 15 years old. One of my aunts had a heart attack at 33 and underwent triple bypass surgery; she died at 41. Many other aunts and uncles have died in their mid-50s. Young cousins have had heart attacks in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. And you know about my sister's experience!
Q: Because it runs in your family, did you take any steps to try and prevent heart disease?
A: The first step that I took was to follow a cardiologist's wise advice to the family after my aunt's death in 1986. He stressed the importance for the newer generation to be aware of this deadly disease in the family, and suggested that family members begin to have regular checkups and tests done at an early age. I was tested in my early 20s, and the results showed that I had genetic risk factors for heart disease.
Also, because of my strong family history, I have always done some sort of regular exercise. In my early 20s, I jogged and went to the gym a lot. In my late 20s and early 30s, I took aerobics and walked 20 to 25 minutes to and from work every day.
Because I followed the doctor's advice to get regular tests, they discovered that I had multiple arterial blockages when I was 49. In January 2010, I underwent emergency quintuple bypass surgery. Doctors told me that I was a "living miracle" and were surprised that I had not had a heart attack.
Also, because of the genetic factor in my family, I took proactive measures to check my 6-year-old son's cholesterol. The screening results were incredibly high at 350 — especially high for a child that young. This is when I truly realized the importance of knowing our numbers and of being aware, no matter how young you are.
Q: Tell us about the events leading up to your diagnosis. What did you experience?
A: Awareness has been a key factor. Even though my cholesterol levels were high, I never experienced the typical angina symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease. I have always been diligent about having regular blood work and echo stress tests done in order to help prevent heart disease.
In late 2009, I went to my primary care doctor and mentioned to her that it had been about a couple of years since I had my last echo stress test and that I wanted to have one done. She asked whether I was experiencing chest pain and I told her no, but that I had been feeling a very mild pressure on my left shoulder over the last couple of months. Considering my family history, my doctor approved the tests. In January 2010 I had an echo stress test, and the results were positive for possible arterial blockages.
My doctor called me at work the following morning and told me to go home and rest, not to expose myself to traffic, stress, or the cold weather that we were having in Florida that particular January. She also told me that she personally had made an appointment for me to go see a cardiologist that afternoon and emphasized that it was very important for me to leave work, go to my appointment, and just stay home resting until I received my test results. This was so shocking. I told my doctor that she was talking to me as if I were going to die and that I was feeling fine. At that moment, it was very difficult to accept what she was telling me. It was a very busy time in the office, but I went home and then to my appointment with the cardiologist that afternoon. However, I did go back to work while I waited for my test results, because I wasn't feeling sick or experiencing typical chest pains or angina symptoms — at least that's what I thought. I know better now.
Q: Once you were diagnosed, what kind of treatment did you receive?
A: Once I was diagnosed for possible cardiovascular disease, based on the results of the echo stress test, the cardiologist scheduled a cardiac catheterization a few days after. On the day of the catheterization the doctor told me that he was surprised that I was still alive and able to walk and breathe, due to the high level of blockages in my major arteries. He called my husband into the room and told us that I needed to have emergency bypass surgery, possibly triple bypass or more. He said the number of bypasses I needed would be determined at the time of my surgery, which was scheduled for the following day. This is when my cardiologist and surgeon, along with a team of cardiologists told me that I was "a living miracle."
Q: Since your surgery, what changes have you made to lead a more heart-healthy lifestyle?
A: I've always found it challenging to keep healthy eating habits. There are many foods I don't eat any more, and I am much more careful when making meal choices. I eat salads for lunch about three times a week, and I have cut down on portion sizes.
Is Your Manicure Making Someone Sick?
Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the U.S. Department of Labor Blog. The original post date was January 27, 2015.
I came to the United States from Vietnam in 1992. After learning about the nail salon industry from friends in my English class, I became a manicurist. The work offered a flexible schedule for mothers of small children, like me, and the required training wasn't as long as for other professions. With determination, I was able to work my way up to eventually becoming the co-owner of Traci's Nails in Oakland, California in 1995. And last year, my business was officially recognized as a "Healthy Nail Salon (link is external)" by Alameda County, CA for using safer practices and products in my salon. I've been able to do what is best for my health, the health of my co-workers, and my customers.
Like many other women in my industry, I chose to become a manicurist to make women feel beautiful and to provide for my family. Although there are many good things about the job — the glamour, the artistry, the beautiful colors and new designs — there are also significant hazards. Salon workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and repetitive motions that can cause injuries and illnesses. Many experience health symptoms like difficulty breathing, red and watery eyes, and skin reactions on a daily basis. We tell ourselves to accept these short-term health problems, but worry about possible long-term effects of the chemical exposures like cancer, reproductive issues, and asthma.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has many useful resources for salon workers and owners like me, including a booklet called Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures and Pedicures (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish). For the last several years, they have been working to empower nonprofit organizations that offer safety training and resources to salon workers and employers through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. OSHA also has special webpages about safety in hair and nail salons, dangers of chemicals like toluene, and transitioning to safer chemicals in the workplace. In California, thanks to the work of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (link is external), several counties and cities have implemented Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Programs, recognizing salons that use less toxic products, improve ventilation, and participate in trainings that encourage healthier workplaces.
As an owner, I have gained greater control over the products and practices used in my workplace. I am hoping that other owners in the industry also adopt safer products and practices. That's why the collaborative work of OSHA, advocacy organizations like the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (link is external), and local governments is so vital to the lives of salon workers across the country. Nail salon workers and owners should not have to forego good health in order to make a living!
Chanh Hang is a nail salon owner and member of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (link is external).
That's Why I Call It Crazy Love
Content warning: Physical and emotional abuse
When I was 22, a few weeks before I met the man who physically abused me, I told my roommate I'd never be stupid enough to let a man beat me.
I wish I'd known that abusers never hit you on the first date.
I wish someone had told me that at first, you feel like he's the best thing that ever happened to you. He's the sweetest, kindest, most romantic man in the world. But then he quickly, often without you noticing, gets possessive and controlling. He wants to know where you are and who you are with and what you are wearing — every second of the day. He smiles and kisses you and says he just wants to know because he's never loved anyone so much, because he was hurt in the past by another girlfriend, or because he needs to know you are safe in order to sleep at night.
I wish I'd known that girls 18–24 experience some of the highest rates of abuse by past or current partners.
Even though I'd graduated from Harvard University and lived in Spain, I was so naïve. I didn't understand that relationships can turn violent no matter how smart you are, where you live, what your family is like, or what religion you practice.
I wish I'd known that abuse usually first happens when you feel most in love and most vulnerable — when you move in together, get pregnant, or get engaged. He knows it's harder for you to leave then. My abuser first beat me five days before our wedding. I married him anyway. Isn't that crazy? That's why I call it "crazy love."
I know now that no one has the right to scare you or hurt you. No one has the right to force you to stay when you don't want to. Today, I know that true love is never crazy.
I was lucky. I left my abuser after four years of small indignities: Him telling me how much makeup I could wear, who I could call on the phone, and how short my skirts could be. Plus bigger problems like having him hold a gun to my head, pushing me down stairs, and punching me in the face.
I learned my lesson the hard way. I'm telling you because I hope you can learn the same lesson without being abused. Try to recognize and avoid partners who control you and disguise manipulation as true love. We all deserve to be loved, and no one deserves to be hurt in the name of love.
To learn more about how to recognize and avoid teenage dating abuse, please visit www.joinonelove.org (link is external) or The Crazy Love Project (link is external) on Facebook.
The statements and opinions in this blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.