Published Thursday, January 30, 2003
By Erin Palko
Herald Staff Writer
A myth has been around for years that heart disease is a "man's disease."
But the fact is, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, killing more women than the next seven causes of death combined.
For that reason, Sharon Regional Health System has joined the national Women's HeartAdvantage program, which is designed to raise awareness of heart disease among women and provides physicians information about prevention, detection and treatment of women's heart disease. The hospital announced its participation in the program during a news conference Wednesday.
"When we were approached (to participate in the program) it seemed like the logical fit for Sharon Regional with continued growth in the Heart Institute and on-site efforts to treat heart attacks and heart disease," said Wayne Johnston, president and chief executive officer of Sharon Regional.
Women's heart disease is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked health risks in the United States, said Mary Jane Altham, director of critical care and cardiology services at Sharon Regional.
She added the Mercer County chapter of the American Heart Association has endorsed the Women's HeartAdvantage program and will be participating in the program with Sharon Regional.
"The American Heart Association is pleased Sharon Regional has brought this program to our region," said Diane O'Brien, corporate event coordinator for the Mercer County chapter of the American Heart Association.
Dr. James Ryan, cardiologist and director of the catheterization labs at the hospital, said a survey conducted in October of 501 Shenango Valley women revealed that 85 percent of them were at risk for a first heart attack, and most were not even aware of it.
"The goal is to reduce the incidence of heart disease by 25 percent in the next 10 years," Ryan said.
Dr. Charles D'Auria of Hermitage said it is the primary care physician's responsibility to screen women for the risk of heart disease.
"Primary care physicians ... must do a better job screening for heart disease," D'Auria said, adding physicians must keep an eye out for such risk factors as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes and early menopause in their female patients.
As director of the emergency care center at the hospital, Dr. Sergio Segarra often sees heart disease in women that was not treated in a timely manner. He said women are nurturers who are more likely to take care of other people than themselves.
Many women may not immediately seek treatment for heart attacks because they don't realize they're having one. Women's heart attack symptoms are not always the classic chest pain; they're more likely to experience a squeezing, uneasy feeling; pain in both arms, the neck or shoulders; pain in the upper part of the abdomen; paleness; palpitations or lightheadedness, sweating and fainting. Segarra said if women experience these symptoms they should seek treatment immediately.
Dr. Maryann Payne, cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital, said her own mother recently experienced these atypical heart attack symptoms. She had jaw pain and nausea, but was told she just needed a good night's rest. Now she has some permanent heart damage.
"I'm encouraging women to take charge of their own health," Dr. Payne said.
As part of Women's HeartAdvantage, Sharon Regional will offer several heart-related events in February -- American Heart Month -- at Hermitage HealthPlace, including :
» "Are Cholesterol-Lowering Medications Right for You?" -- 2 p.m. Feb. 12 with Dr. Daniel Bee of the Greenville Family Medicine Center.
» "A Sweetheart Luncheon: A Woman's Heart" -- noon Feb. 13 with Ryan. Call (724) 983-5518 to register.
» "Heart Healthy Eating: Low Fat, Low Cholesterol Meal Planning" -- 2 p.m. Feb. 14 with Mike Libbey, dietitian.
» "What's Great About Soy!" -- 2 p.m. Feb. 18 with Karen Dahl, dietitian.
» "Healthy Heart Screening" -- Feb. 25.
For more information about the Women's HeartAdvantage, or to request a free Women's Heart Action Kit, call (724) 983-5518 or (800) 346-7997. The Sharon Regional Web site, www.sharonregional.com, also provides a link to the Women's HeartAdvantage Web site.<hr> <h2>Women and heart disease</h2>
Sharon Regional Health System and the Women's HeartAdvantage program offer the following facts about women's heart disease:
» Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women each year, claiming more than 500,000 lives.
» In the United States, all cardiovascular diseases claim more women's lives every year than the next seven causes of death combined and almost twice as many as all forms of cancer.
» Every year since 1984, more women than men have died of cardiovascular disease.
» It is estimated that one in two women will die of heart disease or stroke, compared with one in 30 who will die of breast cancer.
» Thirty-eight percent of women, compared with 25 percent of men, will die within one year after having a heart attack.
» The death rate due to cardiovascular disease for African-American women is 69 percent higher than that of white women.
» Women with diabetes are four times more likely than men to develop heart disease.
» Smoking is the most prevalent and preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women younger than 45.
» Fewer than three in 10 women perceive heart disease as their greatest health threat.
» Nearly 50 percent of women older than 45 have high blood pressure and an elevated total cholesterol level -- both well-documented risk factors.
» The economic cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in 2001 was estimated at $298.2 billion. The true cost in human terms of suffering and lost lives is incalculable.