Campaign Urges Women to Visit with Doctors about Heart Disease

With the deaths of one in two women in the United States attributed to heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston-area lawmakers and health educators have banded together in a new national crusade against these health threats.

"Heart disease and stroke kill more than half a million women in the United States every year," said Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital cardiologist Dr. Gloria Hui. "Sadly, women are less likely than men to receive standard diagnostic and treatment procedures for heart attack, such as angiography, coronary angioplasty and aspirin therapy."

Dr. Hui and a panel of physicians and public health advocates issued a call to action during the Jan. 31 launch of Women’s HeartAdvantage, a collaboration between Memorial Hermann, the American Heart Association and 14 Veteran’s Health Administration medical institutions around the country. Women’s HeartAdvantage encourages women to partner with their physicians to improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through the prevention, detection and treatment of risk factors. This includes early identification and treatment of heart attacks and prevention of future cardiovascular distress.

Dr. Selina Lin with Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital said as an OB/GYN, "I am often the first point of contact for women seeking health services. Women hold a great deal of concern about their risk of developing breast cancer," she said. "While this certainly is a health threat, just as much concern should be placed on heart health."

Studies show that women are 10 times more likely to die from heart disease than breast cancer.

"A partnership between a woman and her physician is critical in building awareness, detecting and treating the disease," said Dr. Lin, who recommends that women use their annual checkup to have their doctors begin addressing concerns about heart healthiness.

State Rep. Debra Danburg, who also served on the panel, said the physician-patient relationship is not unlike that of teacher-student.

"My mother used to tell me to ask my teachers questions as a way to learn new things and develop a better understanding," she said. "The same applies to a woman’s relationship with her physician."

As part of the Women’s HeartAdvantage campaign, Memorial Hermann is making free heart screening action kits available to the public by calling (713) 222-CARE (2273). The kits contain American Heart Association-endorsed literature about heart disease signs and symptoms as well as risk factors such as high blood pressure, stress and obesity. The kits also offer tips for heart attack prevention and provide information about "Wellness Wednesdays," a series of Memorial Hermann-sponsored cardiovascular screenings held on consecutive Wednesdays around greater Houston.

Memorial Hermann has begun promoting Women’s HeartAdvantage with television commercials and print ads throughout the Houston market. They urge women to "take a minute to talk to your doctor about your heart." Memorial Hermann is also launching women’s heart wellness programs at Shell Oil Corp. and the Minute Maid Co., with talks under way at other Houston-area businesses of 5,000 employees or more.

A recent survey of 500 random women aged 40 to 70 in the Houston area showed that only 29 percent indicated they have received heart disease education from their doctor’s office.

"Women, if you ever feel like something is wrong, listen to your body and do something about it," urged Alberta Rogers, who, three years after undergoing triple bypass surgery, regularly counsels fellow heart patients as a volunteer for Mended Hearts.

Rogers, 72, said it could mean the difference between life and death.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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