The Heart Truth

About 6.7 million American women have heart disease. One in three women dies of this condition, which can also lead to disability and a significantly reduced quality of life. In 2002, heart disease killed 356,000 women-more than the number who lost their lives to stroke, lung cancer, breast cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined. Unfortunately, very few women are aware of these facts or take their risk of heart disease seriously. To make women more aware of the dangers of heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and partner organizations are sponsoring a national campaign called The Heart Truth. Its goal is to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease. While aimed primarily at women aged 40 to 60-the time of life when a woman's risk of heart disease begins to rise-the campaign's messages are also important for younger women, as heart disease develops gradually and can begin as early as the teenage years. One of the main messages of The Heart Truth is that women can reduce their risk factors and improve their heart health, even if they already have heart disease. It is never too late to take action, and the campaign offers a wide range of suggestions on how to take charge of one's heart health. The campaign's website features moving stories of real women living with heart disease, along with revealing surveys and statistics about the incidence of this condition. Corporate partners and their efforts to educate the public are also included. (For more information, visit www.hearttruth.gov.)

LE: What is your diet like?

JS: My meals are heart healthy. I love berries and other antioxidant rich foods. Berries contain phytonutrients that help with a variety of age-related health conditions. Also, the antioxidants they contain help to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, making it less likely to stick to the walls of your arteries and promote arterosclerosis. My family grows organic food at home, so we always have fresh fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides. I rarely eat red meat; it's usually chicken or fish with lots of veggies. I try to keep my sodium intake low, too. Once in a while I'll indulge, but even then it's in moderation. I also eat lots of nuts, especially pistachios.

LE: What's so special about pistachios?

JS: Pistachios are actually a very healthy nut. They contain predominantly monounsaturated fat as well as polyunsaturated fat, which fits in well with a heart-healthy diet. They are high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in saturated fat. Pistachios are cholesterol free and have significant amounts of magnesium and arginine, which may help to lower blood pressure, and a high level of betasitosterol, which can help lower cholesterol. They are also a good source of fiber. My children and I eat them often for a healthy snack.

LE: Do you exercise regularly? What role does this play in heart health?

JS: I exercise when I can, but I had back surgery a while back, so I have to be careful. I love to walk at a fast pace, and I also do Pilates, stretching, weights, and isometric movements. Exercise is very important for heart health. You don't need fancy machines just make exercise a part of your life. I'm constantly moving and it keeps my heart healthy. There are plenty of studies showing that exercise improves cholesterol profiles, and it keeps your blood pressure in check, too. If only more people would commit to even a modest exercise program, it would really put a dent in the heart disease epidemic.

LE: If you had to pick the top three ways to prevent heart disease in women, what would they be?

JS: Nutrition, aerobic exercise, and monitoring your condition so you can correct minor things before they become more serious. Good nutrition is essential for maintaining the health of your cardiovascular system. Fatty fish such as salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and help to improve your blood pressure and cholesterol profile. Olives contain high levels of monounsaturated fats that promote heart health. And, of course, you need a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals to ensure that your body gets enough'antioxidants and other nutrients to fight free radicals and maximize your immune system.

Even if you don't have heart disease, good nutrition and exercise will help you. Stress is also a huge factor in the health of your heart. Traditionally, it was believed that men had more stress, but like many women today, I have a career, plus I'm a mother and wife, so I have three stresses. Often women are more stressed than men because of these multiple responsibilities.

LE: Nuts were once considered bad for the heart because of their fat content. Now we know that they're good for the heart. What other myths are getting in the way of heart health for women?

JS: There are a lot of myths out there about heart health. You need to address the fact that obesity affects your heart, and if you tax the organ too much with excess body weight, you may die sooner. Your body is like a car-if you take good care of it, it will last longer. So make sure that your body is running smoothly and don't put bad things into it. I believe that everything in moderation works well. While you have to watch the salt content, nuts contain good fats, and they taste great. It's good to get kids into eating themthey are much healthier than candy.