Baker Gilmour Cardiovascular Institute has partnered  with Winn-Dixie, WJXT News Channel 4, and the American Heart Association to develop a program called "Take it to Heart".  The goal of the program teaches women about simple steps they can take to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

     Heart disease is known as the silent killer of women.  It is the number one killer of American women.  Stroke is the third highest cause of death.  Yet, research shows that less than half of all women are aware of these alarming statistics. 

     Although cancer, specifically breast cancer, is most feared by women, heart disease is by far more responsible for deaths in women.  Even when women are educated on the risks of heart disease and stroke, only 8% consider heart disease their greatest threat.

     The decade-long public awareness campaigns waged against breast cancer succeeded in stimulating the medical community's responsiveness to battling this disease through providing improved screenings, treatment, and dedicated, ongoing research.  Hopefully, by shining the same light on heart disease, through better educating women, we can impact its treatment in much the same way.

Some Surprising Facts:

• In the United States, 1 in 3 women die of heart disease or stroke; 1 in 30 die of breast cancer.

• In 2003, Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claimed the lives of 483,842 females, cancer (all forms combined) 269,902.

• 8% of the women who suffer a heart attack will die with that first year.

• Two-thirds of women who have a heart attack fail to make a full recovery.

• CVD is a particularly important problem among minority women.  The death rate due to CVD is substantially higher in black than white women.

• Women in the southeastern United States have a great e prevalence of high blood pressure and higher death rates from stroke than those in other regions of the country.

     Although women do have some unique characteristics, awareness and prevention for both men and women in basically the same.

There are five major risk factors* for Cardiovascular disease:

• Family history of heart disease is considered to be the first cardiovascular event occurring in a male family member (father or brother) after the age of 55.  For women, it's the first cardiovascular event occurring in a female family member (mother or sister) after the age of 65.

• High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is the greatest risk factor for a stroke.  High blood pressure is defined as a reading of 140/90-mmHG or higher if you are taking blood pressure medication.  Blood pressure that is between 120-139/80-89mmHG is considered Pre-Hypertension.

• Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

• Cigarette Smoking

• Hyperlipidemia (also know as High Serum Cholesterol Levels) is defined as a total Cholesterol Level Higher than 240mg/dL; HDL cholesterol level of less than 40mg/dL; or, and LDL Cholesterol Level Higher than 160-189mg/dL.  These standards have been set by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

     Even though obesity, physical inactivity, and age over 55 are not on the list of risk factors to be counted, they are conditions that raise your risk for heart disease and need to be corrected.

*Facts provided by the American Heart Association.  While certain risk factors cannot be changed, it is important to realize that you do have control over many other.

Are there some risk factors that are more important to women than to men?

Risk factors for heart disease go up dramatically for women after the age of menopause (on average 50 years old) as hormones (specifically estrogen) seem to play a protective role with the elevation of HDL cholesterol, the "good cholesterol."  If a woman has low HDL during earlier years (prior to menopause), this is a significant risk factor and is probably more significant than the elevation of LDL or "bad cholesterol."  Since heart disease has been seen in normal LDL's, testing for the elevation of high sensitivity (CRP (C-Reactive) may also help identify high risk women.

I have not undergone menopause.  Doesn't this mean I'm safe from a heart attack?

This statement has provided many women with a false sense of security.  Unfortunately, it's not true.  More women have been having heart attacks before menopause.  There have been approximately 9,000 deaths in the U.S. before the age of 45.   Smoking and diabetes can negate the positive effect of hormones on the cardiovascular system of pre-menopausal women.  Combined with lack of awareness of cardiovascular disease in this group of women, there is often a delay in seeking care for symptoms or symptoms are too easily dismissed because of the "pre-menopausal" fallacy of presumed low risk.  After menopause, women have heart attacks at the same rate as men.

Are symptoms of heart problems the same for women as for men?

The classis symptoms of chest pain going down the left are does occur in both men and women.  However, women are more likely to experience subtle warning symptoms of heart problems such as:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Shortness of breath with exertion

• Flu-like symptoms-specifically nausea, clamminess, and unexplained dizziness

• Pain in the upper back shoulders, neck jaw, or abdomen

• Feelings of anxiety

These symptoms should not be ignored.  If you are experiencing any of them, call and talk to your physician.

Do heart attacks have the same effect on men and women?

Heart attacks are very serious for both men and women.  Women have a 50% chance of dying versus a 30% chance for men.  Women are also much more likely to be disabled from heart attacks due to heart failure.  46% of women suffer some kind of resulting disability versus 22% of men. 

Although these statistics are grim, the good new is that with education, awareness and prevention, these trends can be reduced. 

• Identify risk factors early

• Start lifestyle changes such as those listed below

• If you are exhibiting symptoms or having any concerns, see medical attention

• Stop smoking

A damaged heart can affect or even shorten your life.  So star taking action today to protect your heart.  As one woman doctor put it:  "Heart disease is a "no" problem, late may be too late!"

What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce my risk of heart disease?

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week

• Cut back on high fat meats and dairy products

• Limit high fat cakes, pies and ice cream

• Use olive or canola oil when cooking

• Snack on fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds

• Increase your vegetable intake

For more information on heart disease including heart healthy recipes visit:

www.wjxt.com or www.winndixie.com

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