The Department of Public Health also encourages women to take proactive steps to protect their heart health, as diseases of the heart were the leading cause of death for SC women in 2022.
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Only 20.4% of women meet the recommended amount of physical activity for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
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MARLBORO COUNTY — The South Carolina Department of Public Health is reminding women to take care of their mental and physical health this National Women’s Health Week.
This weeklong recognition, which kicked off on Mother’s Day and ends on May 18, aims to empower women and celebrate their voices, wellness and resilience while empowering them to take charge of their health journeys.
“All too often, women put their health on the backburner,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH’s deputy director of Health Promotion and Services & Chief Medical Officer. “DPH encourages all women and girls in South Carolina to make sure they are making their physical and mental health a priority, through healthy diet, exercise, making regular visits with their health care provider, and performing routine health maintenance such as undergoing recommended cancer screenings. Women need to also focus on their heart health from an early age, to lower their risk of heart disease.”
According to the Department of Public Health, women should schedule a “well-woman” visit at least once a year.
A well-woman visit includes talking to your doctor about family history, family planning, alcohol and tobacco use, health goals, and schedule necessary tests, such as screenings for sexually transmitted infections, diabetes, cancer, and more.
The Department of Public Health also encourages women to take proactive steps to protect their heart health, as diseases of the heart were the leading cause of death for SC women in 2022.
They state that women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms with a heart attack, such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, back or jaw pain, and shortness of breath.
It is also recommended that women take small steps each day to better their overall health, which can have lasting effects on a woman’s physical, mental and emotional health, including lowering the risk of heart disease.
Women and girls can implement small, positive changes by doing the following:
Getting active. Only 20.4% of women meet the recommended amount of physical activity for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Try to move more than you sit during the day and aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking.
Eating healthy. Focus on incorporating more fruits and vegetables and lean meats into your diet.
Paying attention to mental health, including learning how to handle stress.
Get enough quality sleep, including diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.
Avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt.