We Heart You
Since starting Eve Was Framed, we often have very random health questions pop into our head that we don’t have an answer for. Most recently it was, “How do you know when you need to go to the hospital/what an emergency is?” Our parents always seemed to know what required a trip to the emergency room or at least an urgent doctor's appointment, but as an adult we personally tend to wait until the last minute or things are REALLY bad before taking that next step.
Stephanie mentioned this after cutting her finger and wondering if it was something that needed a doctor to look at or just needed a band-aid (thankfully it was an at-home fix), but we’re curious…how do you evaluate when you need a doctor versus when you can take care of yourself?
Contemplate that over the next couple of weeks – we’re taking next week off for the holiday. We look forward to sharing more health in the September 13th issue.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
Baseline Tests the Start of Your Heart Health Profile
Natural Ways to Overcome Fatigue
Resources For Suicide National Prevention Month
Baseline Tests the Start of Your Heart Health Profile
If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know the number one cause of death in women is cardiovascular disease. That includes conditions such as heart disease and stroke. It is a significant public health concern and accounts for a substantial proportion of female mortality globally.
Certain risk factors affect women's cardiovascular health differently. For instance, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease. Hormonal changes during menopause also play a role, as decreasing levels of estrogen can contribute to changes in blood vessels and cholesterol levels.
Racial disparities also impact both risk for cardiovascular health and access to preventative care. Black women are at higher risk for heart attack and high blood pressure than white and asian women. Hispanic women are at higher risk from a fatal heart attack than hispanic men.
So what are some of the baseline tests and numbers you should know about your heart health?
These baseline tests for cardiovascular health are important for women to assess their risk factors, detect any existing heart conditions, and establish a foundation for ongoing heart health management. Which ones make sense for you depends on your age and health history.
Regular blood pressure checks help determine if a woman has hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Blood pressure should ideally be below 120/80 mm Hg.
A lipid profile measures levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (often referred to as "bad" cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (often referred to as "good" cholesterol), and triglycerides. Abnormal lipid levels can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test assesses blood sugar levels and helps detect prediabetes or diabetes, both of which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart. It can help identify irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), signs of a previous heart attack, and other cardiac abnormalities.
Stress Test (Exercise Treadmill Test) involves monitoring the heart's activity while the woman exercises on a treadmill. It can help detect signs of reduced blood flow to the heart and assess cardiovascular fitness.
Calcium Scoring is a specialized CT scan that measures the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries. It helps identify the presence of plaque and assess the risk of coronary artery disease.
Remember, these baseline tests serve as a starting point for assessing cardiovascular health. You should work closely with your healthcare providers to determine which tests are appropriate based on your health profiles.
Overcoming Fatigue
We’ve all been there before – after a full eight hours of sleep, we could crawl back into bed an hour later and we carry around heavy eyes for the duration of the day, that no amount of coffee or caffeine seems to help with. Fatigue is described as being “severely overtired” and is characterized by tired eyes, legs or your whole body, stiffness or boredom and impatience.
Its causes are many – they can be the result of mental health, medical, or lifestyle issues – such as chronic depression; heart, lung, or endocrine conditions; or the consumption of too much alcohol, not enough exercise, and high stress as a few examples.
The good news is, in most cases overcoming fatigue can typically be solved with simple lifestyle changes – once you determine the root cause – which can ultimately lead to healthier habits and increased energy.
Ways to combat fatigue
We researched several sources, the UK’s National Health Service, Healthline, and Harvard Medicine and the recommendations for fatigue are all aligned.
Eat for energy – a balanced diet, one that includes protein, carbs, and fiber, can help you sustain energy throughout the day (including regular snacks)
Stay hydrated – fatigue can often be brought on by dehydration, so making sure you’re getting plenty of water in can help
Manage your caffeine – caffeine is fine in moderation, but too much can have the opposite effect we’re going for. If you’re relying on caffeine to get you from morning to night, you might be overdoing it
Get regular exercise – staying sedentary can lead to fatigue, so getting moving and maintaining an active lifestyle (even if that’s a 20 minute walk everyday) will help
Reduce alcohol – a couple of drinks right before bed can impact the quality of sleep you get, so manage how much you’re drinking in the evening and cut it off a few hours before you turn in
Lower your stress – this can be solved through many of the activities above – exercise, yoga, meditation, self care
Double check your medications – a common side effect of certain prescriptions can be tiredness or fatigue - if you’re on a medicine that causes this - discuss alternatives with your doctor if other lifestyle factors aren’t improving
You shouldn’t need additional supplements or medications to reduce fatigue in most cases. What has helped you the most when you’re overcome with fatigue?
Resources For Suicide National Prevention Month
In June of 2022, the new suicide and crisis lifeline - 988 was launched. It provides a short easy to remember number when you or someone you care about is in crisis. According to the CDC, 2022 had the highest number of deaths by suicide on record. The Trevor Project noted that nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide.
So how can we increase awareness and get people the help they need?
Help raise awareness in September and especially between September 10th and 16th by using the hashtag promoted by the 988 hotline: #BeThe1To and go to their page for lineline logos and awareness ribbons for your social media.
We’ve compiled a list of resources and information to educate yourself and to share with others
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Warning Signs, Risk Factors and Crisis Support
The Trevor Project’s Guide to Being an Ally for Transgender and Nonbinary Young People
Jed Foundation’s Guide to Helping a Friend Reach Out for Support
Live Another Day’s resources for finding culturally competent providers for BIPOC individuals.
And most important of all, protect your mental health and reach out to 988 - by calling or texting
Medical Term of the Week
Cholesterol is a chemical compound in your blood that you need. But how much and what type? There are 3 numbers to care about.
Total cholesterol of more than 200 mg/dL or milligrams per deciliter is too high
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) appropriately called bad cholesterol should be 130 mg/dL or lower.
High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are good at removing cholesterol so levels of 60 mg/dL are good.
The Latest
If you and your significant other are a good match - except for sleep - this article has some interesting solutions (From Healthy Women)
Interested in pelvic floor therapy online? Here’s a list (From She Knows)
Rather a listen than a read? The Daily has a 32 minute listen on menopause having its moment (from NY Times via Spotify)