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 Of all possible diseases,
women probably fear breast cancer the most – yet breast cancer claims
the life of 1 women in 25, while cardiovascular disease kills 1 out of 2.
Each year, 370,000 women die of heart disease, which makes it the number
one killer of American women. Are you doing enough to protect yourself?
The experts say most women are not.
According to the American
Heart Association, there is a wide gap between what is known to
prevent heart disease in women and what is actually being done. Since
cardiovascular problems tend to affect women about 10 years after the
problems strike men, many people believe the misperception that
cardiovascular disease is not a real threat for women.
Alliance Women’s Health encourages women
to become informed about heart disease, because recent studies indicate
that women are not receiving proper cardiac care. For example, women are
less likely to undergo tests to view arteries that may be blocked. Also,
fewer women than men are given exercise stress tests. Women must educate
themselves about the risk factors for heart disease. One of the best ways
to monitor heart problems is to listen to one’s body and take care of
it. If a woman experiences chest pain, she needs to see a doctor
immediately.
Creighton
Wright, the medical director for heart services and a cardiovascular
surgeon, says, "An underserved community has been created for women
concerning heart disease, because women often tend to ignore the warning
signs of cardiovascular problems and focus on diseases such as breast
cancer and AIDS."
According to Alliance Women’s Health, the
best protection against heart disease is prevention. The following ways
help to eliminate coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors:
- Quit smoking.
The leading preventable cause of CHD in women is smoking. More than
50% of women suffer from heart attacks, which are attributable to
tobacco. Risk starts declining within months of stopping smoking.
- Maintain a heart-healthy diet.
There is compelling evidence that diets low in saturated fat and
high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber are associated
with a reduced risk of CHD.
- Become physically active.
Exercise can cut CHD risk in half. Even moderate-intensity
activities such as brisk walking are associated with substantial
risk reduction.
- Monitor your cholesterol.
Serum
cholesterol levels over 240 mg/dL are considered risky, but reduced
levels of the good HDL cholesterol may be an even more important risk
factor for deaths from CHD in women. The "good" HDL
cholesterol needs to be raised and that is possible through exercise.
- Check your blood pressure.
High
blood pressure is a major risk factor for CHD. When it stays above
normal levels over a period of time, blood pressure is considered
high.
For more information concerning heart
disease, call 1-888-640-CARE.
SOURCE: American
Heart Association
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Women’s Health
Services
at the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
The Health Alliance continues to be a leader in women’s
health issues using a multidisciplinary approach to the specific care of
women.
Through the collaborative efforts of each of our
hospitals throughout the Health Alliance, patients and their families
receive the most comprehensive and highest quality women’s care
available. Our continued commitment to provide the best possible patient
care includes clinical research studies, programs of disease prevention,
women’s health information services, commitment to community services
and outreach activities, programs of research training, and continuing
education for health care professionals.
Our vision is simple: "Our women’s services will care for and
empower women who are healthy and ill, considering each woman’s
physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs."
Some of our wellness services include:
- Alternative medicine
- Cancer risk appraisal
- Cervical cancer screenings
- Cholesterol screenings
- Colon cancer screenings
- Depression screenings
- Exercise classes
- Family planning services
- Geriatric assessment
- Gynecologic exams
- Hearing screenings
- Massage therapy
- Memory assessment
- Menopause education
- Mobile, hospital based and satellite
mammography screenings and diagnostic services
- Mom-E-Sage: massage for pregnant women
- Nutrition counseling
- Occupational health risk appraisals
- Osteoporosis screenings
- Smoking cessation classes
- Stress management classes
- Stroke risk assessments
- Support groups
- Tai chi
- Vision screenings
- Weight loss programs
- Yoga
For more information on the wide variety of women’s
services available, please call our toll free number, 1-888-640-CARE.
The Health
Alliance is now offering a free reminder for mammograms and pap smears.
Click here
for details.
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For more information about Women's Services
of the Health Alliance, call 1-888-640-CARE.
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