A new year often inspires us to make resolutions to exercise more, to eat better, to spend more time with loved ones, but have you ever paused to ask a fundamental question: What am I doing for my heart?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, yet many of us wait until something feels seriously wrong before paying attention. The truth is, symptoms can be subtle, risks can be hidden, and early action can save lives. This year, let’s make heart health a priority by asking three essential questions and acting on the answers.
1. Do I know my heart health numbers?
Understanding your risk begins with information.
Many key heart health metrics are “silent,” meaning you can feel perfectly well and still be at risk. That’s why knowing your numbers is the first step:
- Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) can damage arteries and the heart over time. Normal is typically around 120/80 mm Hg, but values vary by individual risk.
- Cholesterol: Total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides all play into heart risk.
- Blood Sugar (A1C or fasting glucose): Elevated blood sugar increases cardiovascular risk even in people who don’t have diabetes diagnosed.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): While imperfect, BMI can offer insight into weight‑related risk.
Ask your provider:
“Can you explain what these numbers mean for my risk?”
Different bodies, especially women’s, may interpret the same value differently depending on hormones, age, family history, and other factors.
If your numbers are outside the recommended range, don’t panic. Use that insight as a roadmap for change.
2. What does my family history say about my heart?
Your relatives’ heart health history, particularly in women, can be especially telling. Heart attacks, strokes, aortic aneurysms, or undiagnosed sudden deaths can all be indicators of inherited risk.
If you don’t have access to your family health history, that’s okay. Your personal health history and current risk factors are still important, and your provider can help guide testing based on that information.
Steps to take:
- Ask parents, siblings, and extended family about cardiac events.
- Note the age at which relatives developed heart disease. Earlier onset often signals hereditary risk.
- Share this information with your provider, and not just “we had heart disease” but who, what type, and when.
Some heart conditions, like elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), aren’t detected in routine screenings. They require specific tests that your provider may not order without family history prompting them. If heart disease is common in your family, advocate for comprehensive testing.
3. Am I prepared to advocate for myself in a medical setting?
Women are more likely than men to have their heart symptoms dismissed, misdiagnosed, or attributed to stress.
That’s a systemic issue, but it doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Women who prepare for their appointments are more likely to leave with answers.
How to prepare:
- Make a symptoms log: Record dates, durations, patterns, and triggers.
- List questions ahead of time: For example, “Could this symptom be cardiac?,” “What tests rule out heart disease?”.
- Bring support: A friend or family member can help ensure your concerns are stated clearly and documented.
- Understand your test options: Ask about appropriate testing based on your symptoms and risk profile. This may include stress testing, echocardiograms, or coronary CT angiography (CCTA), which can detect plaque in the coronary arteries even before symptoms become severe.
Remember: You deserve respectful, thorough care, and sometimes that means firmly advocating for it.
Putting It All Together: A Heart Health Checklist for 2026
This year, consider making these actions part of your heart health plan:
✔ Know your numbers and track them.
✔ Collect and share your personal and, if possible, family history with providers.
✔ Prepare thoroughly for medical appointments.
✔ Ask questions until you understand the answers.
✔ Attend educational events like WomenHeart’s HeartTalk on cardiomyopathy (Jan 21).
✔ Link arms with a support community. You don’t have to do this alone.
These steps aren’t just resolutions. They are a roadmap to better, more confident care.
Why These Questions Matter
Asking these heart health questions isn’t about fear. It’s about empowerment, about knowing what’s happening beneath the surface before it becomes urgent. Symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling can be early warnings of conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.
Many women delay seeking care because they “feel fine,” but as numerous studies and patient stories show, feeling fine doesn’t always mean being fine, especially when it comes to heart disease.
A Heart‑First 2026
Your heart works for you every day. It deserves intentional care in return. This 2026, start with clarity, curiosity, and courage. Ask these questions. Document the answers. And take each step forward with confidence.
You are worth it.
