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Women's Health
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In our increasingly health-conscious society, it is surprising to learn that the fact of heart disease being the No. 1 killer of women in America is largely unknown by women in this country. Local evidence of this phenomenon was seen in a poll recently conducted by Inland Empire Magazine, which reported that 47 percent of women living in the Riverside-San Bernardino county area believed that breast cancer was their primary health concern. This month is American Heart Month, so this is as good a time as any to get some of the facts out for public consumption. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease claims nearly 500,000 female lives each year. "Heart disease and stroke claim more women's lives each year than the next seven causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer," says Dr. Vilma Torres, a cardiologist at Loma Linda Hospital and president of the Inland Empire American Heart Association. The most troubling aspect of that statistic is the fact that heart disease is mostly preventable. This is not something that only women of a certain age need to concern themselves with, since even young women in their teens and 20s can begin taking the steps that may prevent heart disease in the future. Talk to the doc Understanding the threat, searching out the available information, and making some lifestyle changes can mean the difference between life and death. Based upon its studies, the AHA has found that a disturbing breakdown in communication exists between women and their physicians when it comes to the subject of heart disease. In a 1997 poll of 1,000 women, only 30 percent of the respondents said that their doctors mentioned heart disease when discussing general health, and fewer than 20 percent reported that they saw, heard, or read anything about heart disease in their doctor's office in the previous 12 months. The AHA urges women to make a point of asking their doctors about the risks they face from heart disease and the preventive steps that they should be taking. Riverside Medical Clinic and VolantHealth are using American Heart Month to begin a campaign, "Well Red from the Heart," to educate Inland Empire women about heart disease and the necessary steps to prevent it. The local message, though, is a national one. "We want women to understand that heart disease is preventable and, with early detection, treatable," says Dr. Joseph Quan, a cardiologist with Riverside Medical Clinic. As part of the campaign, patients at all RMC and VolantHealth locations will receive an information packet that contains facts on the risk factors of heart disease, tips on prevention, heart healthy recipes, and information about the latest research and treatment options. Two of the main risk factors that a woman can change, according to the AHA, are smoking and blood cholesterol levels. The AHA calls smoking a woman's single biggest risk factor for a heart attack and studies have shown that smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die, and die suddenly, than are nonsmokers. Also, since women tend to have the most influence over the family diet, knowledge of good eating habits to maintain healthy cholesterol levels is not only beneficial to them, but also to the ones they love. Local observance of American Heart Month will be wrapped up by the Inland Empire American Heart Walk in the Dave & Buster's parking lot at the Ontario Mills Mall. This event was originally planned for last November, but was canceled due to last fall's wildfires. It is now scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 29, from 7 a.m. to noon. Michael J. Medley is a senior writer with Inland Empire Family Magazine. The warning signs of a heart attack Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening. Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort, but it can occur before the chest discomfort. Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than five) before seeking help. Call 911 or get to a hospital. - Source: The American Heart Association |
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