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Don’t miss a beat regarding women’s heart health
How to care for wild birds this winter
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Even though several species of birds are migratory and travel to warmer climates to wait out winter, many others stay put. The Audubon Society says that keeping close to home helps some species of birds maintain their territories.
The American Heart Association indicates that more women are now aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death among females than they were 20 years ago. However, the AHA reports that only 42 percent of women aged 35 and older are concerned about heart disease. Initiatives like Go Red for Women in February help shed light on the threat posed by heart disease.
Some birds will puff up to retain heat, others will seek shelter in dense foliage or cavities to avoid the elements. Many birds will huddle together to share warmth.
Here are some facts to consider:
• Heart disease affects women of all ages. In fact, the AHA says that the combination of smoking and birth control pills can increase heart disease risk in younger women by 20 percent. • Mercy Health System says about 5.8 percent of all white women, 7.6 percent of black women, and 5.6 percent of Mexican American women have coronary heart disease. • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms.
• When symptoms are present in women, they are not like the stereotypical clutching of the chest that men experience. Heart disease symptoms in women can include upper back pain, chest discomfort, heartburn, extreme fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath.
• Even fit women can be affected by heart disease. Inherent risk factors, such as high cholesterol, can counteract healthy habits.
• Have a supply of food, bird feeders, houses, and any other bird-related gear at the ready before the storms really rev up.
he arrival of winter forces everyone to confront the changes synonymous with the season, and local wildlife is no exception. Low temperatures, harsh winter storms and a scarcity of food can make it challenging for wildlife, including birds, to thrive throughout the winter.
eart disease might be seen as something that predominantly affects men, but women are not immune to this potentially deadly condition. In fact, doctors and healthcare professionals advise women to take serious heed of heart disease, which claims more female lives than breast cancer, other cancers, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease combined.
• Roughly one female death per minute is attributed to heart disease.
Winter 2020
SEASONS® MAGAZINE
Women are urged to wear red during February to shed light on heart disease, the No. 1 killer of females.
Another way of keeping warm is building up fat as an insulator and energy source. The Audubon Society says more than 10 percent of some birds’ winter body weight may be fat. That can be challenging to maintain when common sources of food, such as insects and berries, disappear as winter wears on. This is when some human intervention can prove handy, advise ornithologists. A few simple efforts may benefit birds and other wildlife that may not hibernate winter away or escape to the tropics.
• Invest in nutritious food, such as black oil sunflower seeds or blends that are high in black oil sunflower seeds. You also can make available more foods that are high in fat, such as suet, peanut butter or even whole peanuts. Mother Nature Network also suggests adding meal worms if they can be found. • Choose feeders that will keep seed dry, otherwise it will be prone to bacterial and fungal growth.
• Don’t discard fallen leaves or any downed twigs or pruned boughs from trees. This will give birds material for creating shelter or hiding away when the weather gets especially brutal. When the Christmas tree is finished for the season, place it in the yard as a windbreak for birds.
• Put shallow water sources around so birds can drink. Replace them frequently if water freezes. Wild birds can benefit from some help when the temperatures start to drop in winter.
Women are urged to take various steps to reduce their risk of heart disease: • Lose weight
• Engage in regular physical activity • Quit smoking
• Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum
• Get cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly • Make healthy food choices • Lower stress levels • Control diabetes
Taking charge of factors they can control can help women improve their overall health and lower their risk for heart disease. Women also should speak with their doctors about heart disease. Learn more at www.goredforwomen.org.
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