More than half of all Americans will die from complications of atherosclerosis, the root of cardiovascular disease.
That’s why Dr. John Martin, who started the
Heart Health Foundation wants to dispel
myths regarding women and the disease:
1.
More women die of breast cancer than heart disease
Women
have a common misconception that their only risk is cancer,
particularly breast cancer. While pink remains the dominant color of
woman’s health, almost 10 times more women die of heart disease
each year than die from breast cancer. Heart disease takes more
women’s lives each year than all cancers combined. It is long past time
for women to add red to their health awareness wardrobe.
2.
Heart disease is a man’s problem.
While
heart presents later in women than men, the consequences are as great
or greater in women. Survival after a heart attack is worse in women
than men. Women’s arteries are smaller and coronary
angioplasty is riskier and outcomes are less favorable in women than
men. Diagnostic tests are less accurate as well. In many respects
heart disease in women is a greater problem in many respects.
3.
Women and men have the same heart attack symptoms.
Unfortunately
women believe if they are not having chest pain, they must not have
heart disease. In fact 64% of women who die suddenly of heart disease
had no previous symptoms. Also women suffering from a heart
attack often have atypical symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of
breath, nausea, arm or jaw pain and mistake them for signs of other
illnesses. As a result they often seek medical care later than men and
suffer bigger consequences.
4.
Only older women need to worry about heart disease
While
it is true, the older a woman is the more likely she is to have heart
disease, heart disease affects women of all ages. Heart disease is the
leading cause of death in women 65 and older,
the second leading cause of death in women 45-64 and the third leading
cause of death in women 25-44. Women of all ages need to be aware of
heart disease risk and preventive measures.
5.
If a woman is fit and has no symptoms, she does not have heart disease
This
is absolutely untrue. Heart disease is a silent assassin and spares no
body types. Major risk factors for heart disease like high cholesterol
and high blood pressure affect women of all body types and therefore
lead to heart disease in even the fittest of women. More importantly
they cause no symptoms so women can have dangerously high cholesterol or
blood pressure and never realize it until they suffer a heart attack or
stroke. It is very important for all women
to be screened for risk factors of heart disease. Again 64% of all
women who die suddenly of heart disease had no previous symptoms.
**John
D. Martin, MD, FACS,
is the Medical Director of Heart and Vascular Institute at Anne Arundel
Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. Under Dr. Martin’s leadership,
the Center has become a nationally recognized facility for the treatment
of vascular disease. In 2000, he along with Louise Hanson, CRNP he founded the Heart health Foundation
and its Dare to C.A.R.E. program which saves lives by offering free cardiovascular disease screenings. Dr. Martin’s goal is to extend
his program across the country and to continue to educate and save
lives. To date the program
has screened over 28,000 participants nationwide.
HHF Background Info
The
Heart Health Foundation (HHF) is a 501(C)(3), non-profit organization
dedicated to saving lives through education, early detection and
prevention of heart and vascular diseases. With a focus on at-risk
and underserved communities, HHF free screenings and educational
programs will help reduce the impact of heart disease, promote healthy
behavior and increase awareness for our children.
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