Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women? It’s true! In fact, one in three women will die from heart disease. Heart disease can also be disabling, and significantly reducethe quality of life for those afflicted.
Unfortunately, most women don’t know how significant heart disease is for women. And, they don’t understand the different ways that heart disease affects women-how its detected, what are the symptoms for women, and what lifestyle changes can prevent heart disease.
How is heart disease different in women?
Even though cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women today, research shows that many women think that they are more likely to die of cancer. Because of this, women may not be as likely to pay attention to the risk factors associated with heart disease or take the steps necessary to reduce their risks.
Many of the same risk factors apply to women and men. Both men and women who have a family history of heart disease, smoke, have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, are overweight, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have diabetes, or are members of certain racial or ethnic groups are at higher risk.
There are ways that heart disease may be different for women. Women often develop heart disease later in life. Women who have had premature menopause and have not had hormone replacement therapy are at higher risk. And, while chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack in both men and women, men and women experience other symptoms differently. Men may be more likely to experience sweating, while women are more likely to feel nauseated, or have back, jaw or neck pain. They may also feel shortness of breath.
Women often wait longer to seek treatment for heart attacks. Because they exhibit different symptoms, it may take longer for them to be diagnosed with heart disease. Women are more likely to die of heart attacks-42% of women who have had heart attacks do not survive a year, versus 24% of men.
What is the Women’s Heart Initiative?
The Women’s Heart Initiative at A Woman’s Place is a program of education and awareness, risk identification, and intervention activities. The mission of the program is:
- to educate women and healthcare providers about the prevalence of heart disease in women,
- to empower women to take a proactive role in addressing their cardiovascular health,
- to encourage early detection and prevention, and
- to provide access to appropriate and gender specific treatment and medical care.
Educational Activities
The Women’s Heart Initiative will be providing a number of educational events and resources to help women to learn more about heart disease and how it might affect them.
What is my risk for developing heart disease?
The Women’s Heart Initiative is sponsoring a number of screenings and programs focusing on modifying your risk factors. Click here for more information on lifestyle modification programs.
Register for one of the programs or call 920-498-4205 to register or for more information.
What should I do if I suspect that I have heart disease?
If you think that you may have heart disease, or there is heart disease in your family and you would like to know how to reduce your risk factors, make an appointment with your primary care physician and discuss your concerns. Prevea patients, request an appointment with your primary care physician.
A Woman’s Place’s Woman’s Heart Initiative has an Registered Nurse-Case Manager on staff to assist you. The case manager will conduct an in-depth risk factor analysis including some diagnostic testing. She will also assist you in finding the resources to help you modify your risk factors. This service is available for a modest fee; physician office visits, diagnostic testing, class fees and so on are the responsibility of the patient.
If you have cardiovascular (heart) disease, she will refer you to appropriate specialists. Learn more about Green Bay Heart Care and PreveaClinic.
You can make an appointment yourself, or ask your physician to refer you.
For an appointment with our RN-Case Manager to discuss your concerns, contact us or call 498-4205.