An Open Letter to New York Women Who Keep Putting Themselves Last

February is National Heart Health Month, and if you are already thinking, I know, I know… I’ve heard this before, I get it. We hear the reminders every year. Eat better. Move more. Get checked. And then life keeps moving, and we move right along with it.

But this one is different. This one is for you.

To the Women Who Carry Everything

If you are a woman in New York, chances are you are carrying a lot. You might be a mom. A wife. A partner. A daughter. A friend. Maybe all of the above.

You are the one who remembers appointments, checks in, holds things together, and shows up even when you are tired. You are the one who keeps going.

And somewhere in all of that, your own health quietly slips to the bottom of the list.

We Put Ourselves Last Without Even Noticing

We cancel our own checkups because someone else needs us. We ignore the fatigue because it feels normal. We chalk chest discomfort up to stress or anxiety. We assume heart disease is something that happens to someone else.

But heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, including here in New York. And many women do not recognize the warning signs when they appear.

Heart Problems Don’t Always Look the Way We Expect

This part matters. Heart attacks in women do not always look like what we see on TV.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, back or jaw pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, or just feeling “off.” Many women delay seeking care because they are unsure or do not want to overreact.

That delay can be deadly.

And If Something Happens to You, Then What?

This is the uncomfortable question we do not like to ask.

If something happens to you, who shows up for the people you love the way you do? Who makes sure the lunches are packed, the calls are returned, and the emotional weight is carried?

Taking care of your heart is not selfish. It is protective. It is an act of love for the people who depend on you, even if they do not realize how much they do.

Small Choices Still Count

You do not need to overhaul your life overnight. Heart health is built in small moments.

• Taking a walk instead of skipping movement altogether
• Scheduling the appointment you keep putting off
• Learning your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers
• Getting enough sleep when you can
• Asking for help instead of pushing through exhaustion

According to the American Heart Association, many heart-related conditions are preventable with lifestyle changes and early detection.

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This Month, Let It Be About You Too

Heart Health Month does not have to be another reminder you scroll past. Let it be the nudge that puts you back on your own list.

Because the truth is simple and powerful. You matter. Your health matters. And the people who love you need you here.

Not just today. For years to come.

If you want more information or tools designed specifically for women, the American Heart Association has resources created with you in mind.