MILWAUKEE — The American Heart Association is redefining heart health for girls and women.
New guidance from the American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of protecting cardiovascular health throughout a woman’s life, beginning in childhood. The recommendations encourage earlier recognition of heart disease risk factors and greater attention to how hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can affect women’s heart health.
Dr. Art Coffey, the president of the Milwaukee American Heart Association, joined Wisconsin’s Midday News to discuss the new guidance and why developing healthy habits at a young age can make a difference later in life. Coffey encouraged parents to prioritize healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep and other preventive measures for their children. He also emphasized the importance of being aware of cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, rather than waiting until adulthood to address heart health.
