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Women's Heart Care fights cardio
disease
by
Heather Woolwine
Public
Relations
Despite a decline in the number of women dying from cardiovascular
disease, MUSC Women’s Heart Care (WHC) is determined to see an even
greater drop as it continues its collaboration with the American Heart
Association’s Go Red for Women campaign.
The Go Red For Women campaign complements the mission of WHC, which
opened a year ago. As reflected in booked schedules, WHC and its three
female cardiologists, Pamela Morris, M.D., Marian Taylor, M.D., and Amy
Rawl-Epps, M.D., continue to connect with Lowcountry women
“The idea behind the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign and
our belief here at Women’s Heart Care is that sometimes the only way to
get the message out is to shout it,” Morris said. “We want to capture
women’s interest and enthusiasm in fighting this disease.”
Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women in the United
States despite the declining death rate, according to the National
Heart, Blood and Lung Institute (NHBLI). Heart disease death rates
remain well above all types of cancer and accidental deaths combined.
Growing awareness of heart disease is helping to reduce death rates, as
well as an increased emphasis on lifestyle changes and prevention.
According to Elizabeth Nabel, M.D., NHLBI director, and the WHC
staff, people can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as
82 percent by maintaining a normal weight, increasing physical
activity, following a heart-healthy diet, and quitting (or not
starting) smoking.
Women
underestimated, underserved, undertreated
In addition to supporting the AHA’s Go Red For Women campaign and
awareness movement, the founders of the MUSC Women’s Heart Care program
seek to bring information and care to a population not often thought of
when it comes to heart disease.
“People just don’t think about women having heart disease,” said Marian
Taylor, M.D., Women’s Heart Care. “The research has been focused
primarily on men, and we know more about how heart disease affects men
in the clinical setting.”
For all the conspiracy theorists out there, no one is “out to get”
women at risk for heart disease. Women have just been left out of the
loop until recent years. Much of this can be attributed to a difference
in symptoms for women having a heart attack and the complexities
involved in studying women of age for heart disease. Because women tend
to live longer than men, the onset of heart disease in women begins a
little later in life, around age 60. By nature, people seem to pay more
attention to diseases that affect them at an earlier age. Women also
present complexities due to hormonal changes that can send mixed
signals and, in some cases, require drug therapies that could
exacerbate conditions leading to heart disease.
“The numbers might be looking a little better, but many physicians are
still underestimating and undercalculating the risk for heart disease
in women,” Morris said. “And with non-classical symptoms, women also
underestimate their risk and/or deny symptoms as they occur. This is
especially true for underserved women with limited access to health
care and who are on the outside of the awareness movement.”
Epps echoed Morris’ comments, saying, “At a recent community screening,
I was amazed to see the amount of people who did in fact have numerous
risk factors as well as the number of people having actual problems and
in need of a referral. Comparing the number of people we saw to
the ones who needed additional help, the numbers were staggering.”
Morris categorized the types of patients she and her colleagues see via
the rule of thirds. One-third, she said, have a family history of heart
disease or other risk factors, but because they have chosen to lead a
healthy lifestyle, those women are often reassured that their chance of
developing heart disease is low. “With this group, we’re able to give
some peace of mind, maybe let them know they are dealing with
indigestion, not heart disease,” Morris said. The next third arrive
suspicious of their family history and realize that they may not have
managed their health well or who have some symptoms that are cause for
concern. The last third have many risk factors, are often unaware, and
are usually the ones arriving at the WHC on the brink of medical
disaster or who are enduring symptoms of a heart attack.
To make the last third a smaller portion of their patient mix, Morris
and her colleagues strive to provide a comprehensive,
multi-disciplinary, gender-specific approach to prevention, early
detection and management of heart disease in women. They work closely
in a clinical setting with a multidisciplinary team, including
specialists in endocrinology, gynecology, psychology, nutrition and
exercise physiology. Their goal is to address all aspects of women’s
heart health and heart disease management in a clinical setting, as
well as within a research construct.
A head
start
One message that Morris, Taylor and Epps want to emphasize is early
prevention of heart disease based on discoveries made from risk factor
screening. “It’s important to try and establish good habits early, so
you’re not faced with trying to change them later in life,” Morris said.
Many have heard that moderation is the key in many things, and
protecting oneself and family from heart disease is no different. The
more vigilant a person is at a young age about diet, exercise, risk
factors (especially family history and smoking) and personal health
care, the more likely that person will live a life free from heart
disease. And the message doesn’t stop with men and women, but includes
children and adolescents. “With climbing rates of obesity, diabetes and
other risk factors not only for adults but for our children, it’s very
important to pass along the message that in order to prevent disease,
people need to be taking care of heart health from childhood and
adolescence throughout adulthood,” Morris said.
Upcoming
Women’s Heart Care event
On April 28, approximately 400 community members can attend a special
heart education day for women at the Gaillard auditorium.
Speakers and presenters will discuss topics including ethnic
differences in heart disease, how to recognize symptoms, how to
understand a heart disease diagnosis, question and answer sessions,
understanding the impact of anxiety and stress on the heart with tips
for stress reduction, taking hormones, sleep disorders and
cardiovascular disease, and exercise and nutrition break-out sessions.
In addition, the Charleston Ballet will perform special choreography
for participants and an all-red fashion show will highlight heart
disease patients and their providers as everyday women.
Look for updates and more specific registration information in coming
issues of The Catalyst.
Heart
disease risk factors
Age and sex: Woman more
than 50 years old. Begin scheduling regular check-ups in your 20s with
your family physician to monitor cholesterol levels, blood pressure,
and devise a healthy diet and exercise plan to lower unhealthy levels.
Begin medication if necessary.
Family history: Father or
brother had heart attack before age 55, or mother or sister had one
before 65, or mother, father, brother, sister or grandparent had a
stroke. Know your family history.
Heart disease medical history:
Had a heart attack, heart disease, or other heart conditions.
Stroke history: Had a
stroke, have carotid artery disease, leg artery disease, high red blood
cell count or sickle cell anemia.
Blood Pressure: Around
140/90 mm Hg or higher.
Tobacco smoke: You smoke
or live with people who smoke. Begin a smoking cessation program. Call
792-9192 or visit http://hcc.musc.edu/patient/support_services/QuitToWin.cfm.
Total cholesterol: Is 200
mg/dL or higher. HDL cholesterol: less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than
50 mg/dL for women.
Physical activity: Less
than total of 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.
Overweight: You’re 20
pounds overweight for height and build.
Diabetes: Have diabetes,
or take medicine to control blood sugar.
Steps
to a healthy heart
- Move more, eat less. Experts call for at least 30 minutes
of physical activity per day. This can be 15 minutes on a walk during a
lunch break, a brisk walk with the dog when you get home, and then
maybe vacuum the whole house at a brisk pace.
- Invest in a pedometer. Morris suggests walking 10,000 steps
per day. Use the pedometer to track your progress.
- Don’t smoke or live with a smoker.
- Implement a healthy diet. Arguably the hardest part of
staying healthy, especially in today’s world, a proper diet requires
discipline and can be frustrating with the barrage of current nutrition
information available today. Work with your physician to devise
something that makes sense for you.
Friday, Feb. 16, 2007
Catalyst Online is published weekly,
updated
as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public
Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of
South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at
792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to
Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to
catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island
Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.
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