Women and Heart Health
Most women think that cancer is their leading killer. They're wrong. It's heart disease. Every year since 1984, more women than men have died of cardiovascular disease. In fact, nearly twice as many women die of cardiovascular disease than all forms of cancer.
Critical Questions to Ask Your Doctor
-- Blood pressure
-- Cholesterol – total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides
-- Body mass index and waist circumference measurements
-- Blood sugar level (could indicate risk for diabetes)
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Women's Symptoms of Heart Disease May Be Different
The risk factors and treatment for heart disease are the same in women, but often their symptoms of heart disease are different. Women may not experience the typical crushing chest pain that men may feel.
Women should be aware of the more subtle signs of heart trouble - abdominal discomfort, a feeling like heartburn, chest tightness. If you are feeling these symptoms, don't hesitate to have them evaluated by your physician. State that you are concerned about the possibility of heart disease.
And learn what you can about the disease. A good place to start is with Frequently Asked Questions about heart disease and some typical symptoms, from our Health Information Library.
Mills-Peninsula
Mills-Peninsula has a record for excellence in diagnosing and treating both men and women for heart disease. Mills-Peninsula has partnered with the Sutter Health network in an effort to improve women's awareness of heart disease. The effort is called Women's Heart Advantage.
Named one of the 100 Top cardiovascular programs in the United States in 2000, our specialists offer the latest expertise, beginning with sophisticated diagnostic tools such as coronary angiography and non-invasive ultrasound screening. In fact, advances in diagnosis, medications and less invasive therapeutic procedures such as cardiac catheterization, balloon dilation and stenting have helped reduce the number of people who require open heart surgery. When surgery is needed, our cardiac surgeons are experience d in the most advanced approaches.
We also have tools for heart disease prevention, including the education and fitness programs listed below:
Smoking cessation
Blood pressure screenings
Cholesterol screenings
Heart healthy exercise
Hypertension management
Heart healthy nutrition
Cardiac risk screening
All Heart University
Aquatics
Baseline fitness testing
Fitness Center
Diabetes management
Advanced lipid testing
Weight loss and management
Stress reduction programs: yoga, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, massage, therapy, Watsu (water massage), Tai Chi, QiGong
For more information on these programs, call our Health Resource Line at (800) 654-9966.