¡Hola! I wanted to try something a little different in this post and incorporate some of my medical knowledge within the usual styling post. As a health professional, I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge with others so as to offer a better understanding of disease processes and what we can do to prevent and/or treat them in ways that anyone can understand. Today I'm going to focus on a very important women's health issue, inspired by the red bag I'm wearing in this post: 

Heart Disease

Now you may be thinking, "María, I'm 25-34 years old. I'm healthy and its going to be a long time before I have to think about these issues." Well, think again. Prevention is the best way to tackle these chronic and sometimes fatal diseases. The earlier we start working towards healthier goals, the better.

Let's start off with some basic facts:

Traditional risk factors can be categorized into 2 groups: non-modifiable and modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors are, as the name suggests, factors that cannot be modified. The only risk factor specific to women in this category is:

• Age
• As women age and enter menopause they lose the cardio-protective effect of estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone which, besides playing an important role in our menstrual cycle, keeps our blood vessels dilated which in turn, keeps the blood flowing.

• Smoking 
• 13% of women 18 years or older are current smokers in the US.
• Women who smoke have a 25% greater risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease (when the blood vessels that feed our heart are damaged) than male smokers
• This means that although your boyfriend/husband also smokes, YOU have a 25% greater chance of developing heart disease than he does!
• What can YOU do: Ask your doctor for smoking cessation counseling. There are pharmacological options to help you quit smoking. If you don't smoke, avoid environmental tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke is also dangerous to your health.

• Obesity
• 40.4% of the obese adults aged 20 years or older in the US are women. 
• This means that women make up 40.4% of adults in the US with a BMI of over 30. 
• What is BMI? BMI stands for Body Mass Index and it is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
• Don't know your BMI? You can calculate it by using the formula: BMI= weight (kg)/ height (meters squared). Or you can just insert your details into a BMI calculator. 
• What can YOU do: Women should maintain or lose weight through appropriate physical activity, caloric intake, and formal behavioral programs to achieve a BMI goal of <25kg/m2 or waist size <35"
• What is the recommended physical activity? At least 150 min/week of moderate exercise or 75min/week of vigorous exercise and muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days/week
• Talk to your doctor and/or a nutritionist about the appropriate caloric intake for you because this also depends on your daily activity. 

• Hypertension
• Black and Hispanic women have significantly higher hypertension.
• Although antihypertensive agent trials do not report sex-specific analysis for efficacy or adverse effects profiles, a blood pressure target of <120/80 is generally recommended.
• What can YOU do: When you are at your doctor's visit, be aware of your blood pressure. If it is over 120/80 twice, talk to your doctor about possible lifestyle changes you can make to keep your blood pressure below that. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension and are talking medication, continue to do so as instructed by your doctor. If you are taking your medication as instructed but you have had home blood pressure readings of >120/80, talk to your doctor about possible changes to your medications.

• Dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids [triglycerides, cholesterol] in your blood)
• 42% of women 20 years or older have a total cholesterol count of  >200 mg/dl.
• 30% of women 20 years or older have an LDL count of >130 mg/dl and an HDL count of <40 mg/dl
• What does this all this mean? Both cholesterol and LDL are lipid molecules that can cause atherosclerosis, a disease in which blood vessels narrow due to the formation of a plaque. 
• As blood vessels narrow, less blood can flow through them and this leads to areas of your heart/body that do not get the blood they need. 
• HDL is the "good cholesterol" because it transports cholesterol to the liver where it can be removed by the body so we need more of this type and less of cholesterol and LDL.
• What can YOU do: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that women were less likely to be prescribed statin therapy than men. Statin therapy is the appropriate treatment if LDL >190 mg/dl. 
• Talk to your doctor about receiving this treatment or if lifestyle modifications are right for you if you notice your cholesterol/LDL levels are elevated in routine lab work.

• Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
• Although DM Type 1 affects women and men equally, women are at twice the risk of fatal and nonfatal vascular events compared to men with DM Type 1.
• Women are also less likely to have appropriate glycemic control and receive less aggressive treatment for many modifiable coronary artery disease risk factors than men.

• What can YOU do: If you suffer from DM Type 1, make sure to establish glycemic control by the proper lifestyle/diet modifications as indicated by your doctor/nutritionist. Also, keep an HbA1c goal of <7%.

• If you are a current smoker, talk to your doctor for smoking cessation counseling.
• Avoid environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke).
• Have a BMI goal of <25km/m2. Achieve this by participating in at least:
• 150 min/week of moderate exercise or 75min/week of vigorous exercise
• Muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days/week
• Talk to your doctor and/or nutritionist about adequate caloric intake.

• Be aware of your blood pressure at each doctor's visit. You blood pressure goal should be <120/80. If your blood pressure is over this goal at 2 visits, talk to your doctor about possible further evaluation/lifestyle changes/treatment.
• If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, take your medication as instructed. If you are taking your medication as instructed but still have blood pressure readings of >120/80, talk to your doctor about further evaluation/changes in treatment.
• If you notice that your cholesterol levels are elevated in routine lab work (e.g. Cholesterol >200 mg/dl, LDL >190 mg/dl), talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes/treatment options.
• If you suffer from Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, have a goal HbA1c of <7%. If your HbA1c is higher than this, talk to your doctor about your diet and insulin regimen for possible changes. 

Top/Camisa: Zara (similar here, here, and here) Skirt/Falda: Forever 21 (limited sizes, check out this midi option and this plus size option) Jacket/Abrigo: Forever 21 Shoes/Zapatos: Converse Jewelry/Joyería: Alex and Ani Bag/Cartera: Tous (c/o)

As the beginning of my surgery residency approaches, more health posts will also be popping up here on the blog. I want to try to prepare posts that a medical student can learn something from but the general public will also understand. What did you think? Did any of these recommendations resonate with you? Would you like to see more posts like these or should I keep health and style posts separate? Let me know below!

Con amor,

María Eugenia

Find more information about heart disease here and here.

*On matters of health, although I am a doctor in medicine, I am NOT your primary physician. I will always recommend you seek out your primary physician if you have any health concerns for consultation and proper management as indicated by updated guidelines of care. None of my posts replace actual medical guidance. Read my full disclosure here.

¡Hola! So we actually went to Old San Juan (OSJ) to take photos at Calle Fortaleza where the sky is filled with gorgeous pink kites in honor of Women's International Day but, just our luck, the street was closed for the day (insert face slap emoji here). OSJ still has so much more to offer! We wandered the streets and came across these gorgeously colored homes, perfect for our photo session! We spent some time checking out books in Librería Laberinto, ate dinner at our favorite pizza place, Pirilo Pizza Rustica, and finished with delicious ice cream at Himalaya.  

For days at Old San Juan I love wearing outfits that are nice and fresh because it can get very hot! On that note, it can also be very windy, so dresses/skirts that are too flowy can get swept up and before you know it the world knows what brand of panties you buy. This dress was juuust right. Since I knew we weren't going to be walking around too much, I was more than okay in these low heels. If I knew I was going to be all out touristing in OSJ, I would prefer to wear tenis shoes, even with this same dress. Gingham is a perfect spring/summer pattern and I've left more affordable gingham print options below.

I topped off the look with  this Gucci-inspired bag (a steal for $25 at my local TJ Maxx!) my classic boater hat, my round RayBans, and this perfect coral lipstick from CoverGirl. Come spring/summer, all my coral makeup comes out and this was the perfect addition to my collection. Its ultra lightweight yet pigmented and long lasting. I didn't touch up once, not even after pizza!

What is your favorite lipstick of the moment? Let me know below!

Con amor,

María Eugenia

SHOP MORE GINGHAM

Tee/Camisa: Zara Jacket/Abrigo: Forever 21 (old, similar here) Jeans/Mahones: American Eagle (similar) Bandana: Zara (old, loving this one!) Shoes/Zapatos: Forever 21 (old, similar) Bag/Cartera: Kate Spade (old, for cheaper versions love this one and this one!) Jewelry/Joyería: Alex and Ani Sunglasses/Gafas: Forever 21

¡Hola! About the title: pun intended! I absolutely adore this look I wore last Sunday for some reminiscing around my college town. There are a lot of spring trends going on here! 

1. Bandanas/Scarves in hair: Milkmaid braids is my favorite go-to hairstyle when I have no hot tools around but want a polished look. It takes me literally 10-15 mins to achieve (depends on my OCD level). I decided to add this Zara scarf I usually tie around my bag to it by knotting it over my head for a fresh, spring version. I've been seeing them used in buns, braids, and all kinds of different hairstyles lately! 

2. Yellow: This color is very on trend now. You're seeing it in every store! If you interested in rocking this trend I recommend buying a piece like this t-shirt because it won't break the bank and its very versatile!

3. Espadrilles: Espadrilles are always in style in spring/summer! I love this old pair from Forever 21 because they are very Chloé-esque! 

4. Straw bag: This Kate Spade bag has been in my wardrobe for around 2 years and I love bringing it out once spring starts and really almost every time I do a little touring around the island. Living on a tropical island means this bag is pretty much on trend ALL YEAR ROUND. I've linked a couple of cute and cheaper alternatives above!

5. Cat-eye sunglasses/Micro sunglasses: Ok, micro sunglasses do NOT look good on me. I think my eyes are just to big to pull them off! I was so happy, though, when I found these at Forever 21! I know they are not "micro" but I think the shape of them is enough to count! 

You're definitely going to be seeing these on repeat here and on the blog's Instagram! 

Fun fact: The first play I saw in this theater was when I was in college. I had been handed out a flyer for a play and decided to check it out on a whim. First scene comes to life and there's a bathtub on stage. Suddenly a naked man comes out of it and more naked people start to show! Needless to say I was in awe, watching families with kids running out of the theater, because there was no way to have known! It was quite a funny (yet it was a very serious play so, no laughing!) sight! 

What is your favorite trend for this spring?

Con amor,

María Eugenia

¡Hola! Today, March 8th, is International Women's Day. I could write volumes of what I've been through in life as a woman: bullying, sexual harassment, judgement, the "you can't do that", etc.; but, I'm not going to. Why? Because that is all in the past. Today I'm a stronger woman who is determined to guide all other women through even the toughest times. Or, just help her out picking out clothes and makeup that make her feel like the beautiful woman she is. A more self-confident woman is a stronger woman! In the video below, I reflect and share some thoughts on what it is like to be woman in today's world. I hope this post inspires you.

This video was prepared in collaboration with other Puerto Rican bloggers for International Women's Day. Check out that video out here:

You can find all the strong and inspiring women who formed part of it here:

Ruthie Fonseca

Miss Lluvia con Sol

The Fashionable Accountant

Miki a la Mode

A Curly Mess

The Curvy Edit

Fab's Creations

Charlottebellafab

Priska Jordan

Coffee & Dogs PR

Zona Jule

La Musa by Patricia Acevedo

What does it mean to YOU to be a woman in 2018? Let me know below!

Con amor,

María Eugenia