Page 7 - AL POST 390 FORMS WOMEN VETERANS WomenVeterans-brochure
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W
V
RISK FACTORS FOR
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
IN WOMEN VETERANS
• Age – advanced age increases risk.
• Hereditary – including genetics and
race. African American women are Breast Cancer Self-exam Guide
more prone to severe hypertension.
At the same time each month, check for any
• Cigarette and tobacco smoke – smok- changes in the normal look or feel of your breasts.
ers have twice the risk for heart attack Look for a lump, hard knot, or skin that thickens
and death than non-smokers. Second- or dimples. Report any changes to your doctor or
hand smoke is also a risk factor. nurse. Go for regular breast exams and PAP tests.
Ask about a mammogram.
• High Blood Cholesterol Levels
– increased cholesterol levels are Check your breasts using these steps:
influenced by age, gender, heredity,
and diet. Lying down: Place a pillow under
your right shoulder. Put your right
• High Blood Pressure – causes the hand under your head. Check your
heart to work harder, thereby weak- entire breast area with the finger
ening it over time leading to stroke, pads of your left hand. Use small
heart attack or failure, or kidney fail- circles and follow an up-and-down pattern. Use light,
ure. Risk increases in women who medium, and firm pressure over each area of your
smoke, are overweight or have diabe- breast. Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.
tes or elevated cholesterol levels. Repeat these steps on your left breast.
• Physical Inactivity – lack of exercise Before a mirror: Check for any
increases risk. Any physical activity changes in the shape or look of
done regularly can help lower risk. your breasts. Note any skin or
nipple changes such as dimpling or
• Overweight – excess weight adds nipple discharge.
to the strain on the heart. It causes
other diseases like diabetes. Being Inspect your
overweight by 10 or 20 pounds can breast in four steps: Arms at side,
make a difference in a woman’s risk arms overhead, hands on hips press-
for heart disease. ing firmly to flex chest muscles, and
bending forward.
• Diabetes – increases risk for heart
disease and stroke. Once diagnosed In the shower: Raise your right
it is critical to control and monitor. arm. With soapy hands and fin-
gers flat, check your right breast.
• Stress – Women veterans experience Use the same small circles and up-
a variety of stresses ranging from and-down pattern
daily living stresses and traumatic described in “Lying down.” Repeat
stress brought on by rape, domestic on your left breast.
violence or war zone experiences.
(See section on PTSD.) Courtesy: The Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation
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