Show #372 Airing Sunday, 1/28/07
February offers us a good excuse to eat chocolate hearts, but the American Heart Association wants us to take women’s health to heart, too, during Go Red for Women Month. Here to explain how women can stay heart healthy is Dr. Alice Petrulis, chief medical officer of Ohio KePRO.
Question:How common is heart disease in women?
Answer: Heart disease is the number one killer in women. Most people don't realize that, and think that breast cancer is. I do not want to downplay breast cancer-1 in 8 women will have that disease. But when you realize that heart disease in women is more prevalent than even that. that's a frightening thought!
Question: What do you mean by heart disease?
Answer: Heart disease can refer to coronary heart disease. This is the hardening of the blood vessels that lead to the heart. The heart does not receive enough blood/oxygen, and the muscle starts to die. If the muscle is dying, that's heart failure. If the muscle is dead, that leads to a heart attack.
High blood pressure is part of heart disease.
So is angina, which refers to chest pain, sweating, pain down the left arm, etc. However, women with angina may not experience pain in those regions, but instead in the jaw.
A huge issue with women's heart disease is that the symptoms are often not similar to the familiar symptoms we see in men.
Question:What are some ways that women in particular show signs of heart disease?
Answer: They may have pain in the neck, arms, or jaw and shortness of breath. However, they can also have stomach pain or discomfort, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or even no symptoms at all.
Many of these symptoms can mimic the flu or even hot flashes.
Question:What are some ways women can minimize their risk? You don't want to call the doctor in a panic every time you feel nauseous, right?
Answer: No, you don't. The really important thing is to see your doctor regularly, at least once each year after you turn 50, to see what your risk is for heart disease. This is especially important if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Risk of heart disease can be minimized by healthy eating (control your level of lipids), regular exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, and stress management. Exercising is a great way to control stress.
Question:February is a special month for women's heart disease. Can you explain?
Answer: For the past 4 years, the American Heart Association has dubbed February "Go Red for Women" month. You can call them to receive more information on women's heart disease, and you can receive the red pin I'm wearing as well.
Also, in celebration of the month, we'll have information on our website on living a heart healthy lifestyle. Look for the red heart icon under "Resources for a Healthy You" on the home page.
Why not add color to your life and "go red" this February? For more information on heart health for women, call the American Heart Association, or visit Ohio KePRO's website. The information's next. My thanks to Dr. Petrulis.
