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MUSC supports Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika tourney by Cindy Abole Public Relations Red was the color of the day among Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players, officials, volunteers and spectators on June 1 to support women’s heart disease awareness at the inaugural Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika  event, May 31 - June 3 at RiverTowne Country Club.   MUSC’s presence at the inaugural Ginn Tribute tournament featured a Go Red for Women booth that offered heart health information, giveaways, goodies and prize drawings. Throughout the event, Business Development and Marketing Services’ Kim Haynes (right) and employees staffed the booth and met visitors. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American adults. The Go Red for Women campaign and red dress symbol are all part of a national movement to remind women to protect their heart health and inspire others to unite in this cause that saves lives. Hundreds of tournament participants wore red clothing, accessories, or “Go Red for Women” red wristbands and hair ribbons to support this universal message.   “In an event like this, our hope is to draw attention to ask about the color red and what the red dress symbol is all about,” said Pam Morris, M.D., director of Preventive Cardiology and co-director of Women’s Heart Care at MUSC’s Heart & Vascular Center. “We want to encourage men and women to live heart-healthy lives and encourage them to learn how to recognize the symptoms of heart attack and stroke.”   Ginn spectators, LPGA players and event staff wore their favorite color and cheered on the golf during Go Red for Women Friday, June 1. The Go Red theme for the tournament also blended with the presence of 14-year-old junior golfer MacKenzie Kline, who played in her first LPGA event on a sponsor’s exemption from the tournament host, LPGA golfer Annika Sorenstam. Kline suffers from a congenital heart defect known as heterotaxy syndrome that requires her to periodically use oxygen, and prevents her from walking the course. At this LPGA event, she became the first player in the tour’s history to ride in a cart during her rounds. Although Kline did not qualify on June 1 to continue into the final rounds, she was able to gain attention and support as national spokeswoman for the Children’s Heart Foundation.   In the United States, heart disease has been responsible for killing more women than breast cancer and all other cancers combined. Because heart disease develops through time, the devastating effects can be controlled by prevention strategies including regular exercise and knowledge of one’s blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.   In South Carolina, women and heart disease are a particularly bad combination. That’s why MUSC Women’s Heart Care has targeted its efforts with cardiovascular disease education and prevention strategies to women, especially African-American and Hispanic. In 2000, black women in South Carolina were 1.3 times more likely to die from heart disease than white women.      Morris, along with fellow MUSC cardiologists Amy Epps, M.D., and Marian Taylor, M.D., comprise the Women’s Heart Care at the MUSC Heart & Vascular Center. They are part of a full-service cardiovascular program that focuses on women’s heart care. The program features services that include invasive and noninvasive diagnostic testing, comprehensive medical care for women, cholesterol and hypertension management, diabetes treatment, endocrinology disorders, gynecologic services and prevention counseling. Last month’s Womens Heart Care program was specifically targeted to at-risk minority groups, especially in the Lowcountry.   “There is a prevalence of heart disease among women of all ages,” said Epps. “Heart disease affects a spectrum of other diseases that can affect a woman’s health at any age. Other problems that can develop are heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, plus problems with diabetes and cholesterol. Our focus is on women who are particularly at risk or those who are unaware of their family history and potential risk factors.”   Womens’ symptoms also may differ from classic heart attack symptoms, which can lead to a possible misdiagnosis, improper medical response and inappropriate testing. But this is improving because of better public awareness, ongoing research and new technology that can help detect heart disease early, according to Epps.   “If we can start with prevention, we can accomplish some amazing things,” Epps said. “We have a real opportunity to target specific people and make a difference. People need to have an initial discussion with their doctor so they can evaluate their risk factors. They need to know their numbers and risks and not ignore symptoms or warning signs. We’d like to see the numbers of prevalence for heart disease go down. And the longer people are living, the more important this message is.”   For information, call 792-1616 or visit http://www.muschealth.com/heart/women/gored. Tips for heart health Don’t smoke; and if you do, quit.  Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer. Aim for a healthy weight. It’s important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths. Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat. Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services     Friday, June 8, 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.