July 28, 2003
A Woman's Heart: Often Neglected
Genesis Expert to Lead Community Forum on Women's Heart Care
Davenport, IA - While the incidence of heart disease is dropping in men, it's rising in women. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women claiming the lives of more than 500,000 each year. Industry statistics indicate that women are more likely to have so-called silent or unrecognized heart attacks.
"In the female population heart disease has been ignored for sometime, because it is seen as a man's disease. But heart disease affects women of all racial and ethnic groups and as age increases, so does the risk of heart disease," says Karen Doy, Supervisor, Cardiac Rehabilitation at Genesis Medical Center. "Women typically develop heart problems nearly seven years later than men."
Doy says it's crucial that women educate themselves about their risk factors for heart disease and how you can reduce your risk of heart disease. These factors include:
- Smoking - Smoking is the number one preventable risk factor. Smoking is bad for your heart and nearly doubles the risk for heart attack. Women who smoke and are currently on the birth control pill severely increase their risk of heart attack. If you smoke, kick the habit as soon as possible.
- Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Take control to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol by having a balanced diet and plenty of exercise.
- Maintain Healthy Weight - Excess weight causes the heart to work harder, putting extra strain on heart and arteries.
- Regular Exercise - Exercise will help your heart to stay healthy. Your heart is a muscle and needs to stay in shape.
Not only are women unaware of their risks, they also have limited knowledge of the symptoms of heart disease. There are many warning signs of a heart attack that can go unnoticed. The important thing for women to know is that there is a broad range of symptoms, and if you are not feeling well and have never felt this way before, seek help.
Symptoms to know and recognize are:
- Chest discomfort or pressure, fullness, squeezing or any pain in the center of the chest that comes and goes or stays constant for more than a few minutes.
- Shooting pain down one or both arms, stomach, back, or jaw
- Cold sweats and nausea
- Shortness of breath and fatigue
It is essential for women to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle and maintain it, as they get older. The Genesis Heart Institute is encouraging all Quad City area women to take control of their health, know the signs, symptoms and risk factors of heart disease to detect a problem and get help before it's too late.
Genesis Health System is a sponsor in part of WQPT, Quad Cities Public Television, programming "A Woman's Heart." The documentary and local programming, "A Local Look at A Woman's Heart" air on August 3 and August 10, from 5:30-7 p.m.
WQPT and Genesis Health System are also holding a free community forum on this topic. The community is invited to hear Doy and other area experts discuss "A Woman's Heart" on Wednesday, August 6, at 7 p.m. at the Adler Heath Education Center, Lower Level of the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 East Rusholme, Davenport. Reservations are preferred but not required. To make a reservation call, Genesis On Call at 421-2000 or 1-800-383-2575.
Genesis Heart Institute is a regional network of heart specialists treating patients from more than 12 countries in Iowa and Illinois. The Institute serves as a link between heart specialists and other physicians throughout the region, providing patients new advances in detection, treatment and management of heart disease.
For more information about women and heart disease visit the Genesis Heart Institute Web site, http://www.genesisheart.com/ or the Genesis Health System Web site, www.genesishealth.com or contact Genesis On Call at 421-2000 or 1-800-383-2575.
