The Pause to Relax

03/30/2026

Many women don’t realize that heart symptoms can look very different than the classic signs we hear about.

I learned this firsthand.

Some early warning signs women should never ignore:
• unusual fatigue
• shortness of breath
• pressure in chest or upper back
• dizziness or nausea

Your heart often whispers before it shouts.

I shares my personal experience and guidance for women in:
📖 The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health
Learn more:
lindapenkala.com
or Amazon

03/25/2026

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to remember that what we eat directly affects our heart health.

Linda Penkala’s heart health journey taught her that prevention often begins on the plate.

❤️ Three heart-supporting habits she encourages women to adopt:
• Choose foods rich in omega-3 fats
• Eat more leafy greens and fiber
• Reduce processed foods and sodium

Small daily choices can protect your heart for years to come.

Linda shares practical lifestyle guidance in her book:
“The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health.”
Available at
lindapenkala.com
and on Amazon

03/23/2026

Women’s History Month is about women who reinvent themselves — and help others along the way.

Linda Penkala broke barriers as one of the pioneer women horse racing jockeys in Maryland.

But her most important race came later — when she faced a serious heart health challenge.

That experience inspired her to write “The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health.”

Today Linda shares what she learned so other women don’t wait until a crisis to start protecting their hearts.

Your health is worth the pause.

📖 Learn more or get the book:
lindapenkala.com
or on Amazon

03/09/2026

Honored to share that I was recently featured on WMAR-TV talking about women’s heart health.

After experiencing atrial fibrillation myself, I made it my mission to help other women recognize the warning signs of heart disease before it’s too late.

My book The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health was written to empower women with knowledge and prevention strategies.

Because women’s heart health matters.

📘 Books available on Amazon and at lindapenkala.com

02/23/2026

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women — and too many of us don’t see it coming.
This morning, I had the privilege of joining Good Morning Maryland on WMAR-TV to talk about prevention, advocacy, and why women must take their heart health seriously — especially during American Heart Month.
After my own experience with atrial fibrillation, I made it my mission to help women understand the warning signs and protect their future.
🎥 Watch the full segment below.
📕 My book The Pause to Relax — A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health is available now.
Your heart deserves attention before there’s a crisis.

02/22/2026

Take a guess.

What percent of all doctors visits are linked to stress?

The American Institute of Stress (stress.org) says the number tops 85% .

Stress impacts us all, and for women, we have evolving demands that may raise the risks of CVD.

Here's the hopeful, good news - lessening stress is attainable with awareness of the toll of emotional burdens.

Click on the link to my article. I'm sharing
some awareness tools for life and to protect your heart.

https://www.lindapenkala.com/media/attending-to-emotions

02/20/2026

February is Black History Month. The perfect time to talk about some alarming health statistics that affect the Black community.

Did you know that Black men and women have a higher predisposition to stroke, heart disease and hypertension?

And only 46% of people who suffer from cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander, which is 41% less likely if the person is Black or Hispanic.

The American Heart Association with Heartfelt Unity, is raising the bar of awareness within the Black community, beginning with CPR.

Click this link to learn the 3 CPR steps to save a life.

https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/bernard-j-tyson-office-of-health/black-history-month

If you scroll down, under Black Health Innovators, Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
a pediatrician and public health administrator was the first Black and second female U.S. Surgeon General.

A sound voice for preventive health care!

02/11/2026

During this heart health awareness month, please join me to make a difference in the lives of women! I have partnered with fellow heart health advocate Suzie Jeffreys and her Go Red for Women campaign. We are raising awareness and funds to help get the word out so women don't have to perish from CVD way too early. Purchasing my book, The Pause to Relax, is one way to educate all about the risk factors, but also to gift women with a plan and purpose to thrive.

Thanks in advance for sharing and for donating to enable more women to enhance their health, longevity, and wellness:

Woman of Impact nominees are changemakers using their voices to make a difference. Together they will raise much needed funds, take charge of their health, advocate for all women and change policy.

02/06/2026

I am rocking my red today to raise awareness of heat disease in women. You should too. Here's why. Take listen.

02/02/2026

I had the honor of being a guest on my dear friend Brenda McGregor's "If Only" podcast last month.

We talked about a wide range of topics as you can tell from the title of my episode
" How two firings led to horses-healing hands-and a mission to save women from heart disease.

Here's the link. Take a listen https://brendamcgregor.com/podcast

01/19/2026

It's a holiday for many of us and if you've got a few minutes to spare, check out this article I wrote for You Health magazine.

The title says it all: Your Heart Health is In Your Hands

https://www.lindapenkala.com/media/your-heart-health-is-in-your-hands

01/17/2026

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your heart is… pause.
In this moment, I was simply sitting, looking out at nature—and that stillness matters more than many people realize.
Research consistently shows that relaxing activities like:
• looking at nature
• taking a gentle walk
• slowing your breathing
• practicing stillness
can lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and support heart health. Chronic stress keeps the body in a constant “fight or flight” mode, which puts unnecessary strain on the heart. When we slow down, we give our nervous system—and our heart—space to recover.
Protecting your heart doesn’t always require doing more. Sometimes it means doing less, more intentionally.
💚 For more heart-healthy tips, visit lindapenkala.com
📘 While you’re there, you can also purchase my book, The Pause to Relax: A Woman’s Guide to Robust Heart Health.