By: Dr. D.P. Suresh, Executive Medical Director
Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth
There’s no shortage of concerns when it comes to women’s health. Amidst that myriad, we, as physicians, have a specific obligation to highlight a significant health matter for all women — their heart health.
We have a responsibility to our patients to help them maintain better cardiovascular health. Concentrating on their wellness — encouraging them to come in for their annual visits and remain compliant with their treatment plans — is only one piece of the cardiovascular care puzzle.
The other, equally vital, component is helping them understand the road to better well-being. Considering the intersection of physical, mental and emotional health, a holistic approach to improved health goes beyond honing in on one acute illness and instead encourages women to see the larger picture of health.
Learn More
To learn more about the multi-disciplinary services offered by the physicians at the
Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at
St. Elizabeth, go to stelizabeth.com/heart or
call (859) 287-3045.
Guiding women to a greater focus on their overall well-being is critical — particularly because it can have a substantial positive impact on heart health. According to recent research, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for the past five years. Whether it’s a heart attack, stroke, or another problem, cardiovascular disease claims approximately 700,000 lives annually.
Most patients may consider heart disease to be a bigger problem for men, but we know that assumption is inaccurate. Heart disease is roughly just as common in women as in men. However, the added danger for women exists because their symptoms can be less noticeable or severe. As a result, women are more likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Fortunately, we have science that can guide women through simple lifestyle changes that target better heart health. Although this conversation is important for everyone, broaching it with women could help them side-step those more subtle signs of a cardiac event. The American Heart Association offers its Life’s Simple 7® as a tool that can help patients understand the role they play in their cardiovascular wellness.
It’s important to be aware of these cardiovascular health factors and to know your numbers:
- Blood Pressure: Encourage your patients to “know their numbers.” For proper management, it isn’t enough for a patient to know their blood pressure is “normal.”
- Cholesterol: Clear arteries are critical for good heart health. Urge your patients to pursue an LDL of less than 100 mg/dL.
- Blood Sugar: Explain that high blood sugar damages the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. The optimal blood sugar number is below 100 mg/dL.
- Exercise: Promote at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week.
- Diet: Urge your patients to eat a healthy diet filled with vegetables, fruits, low fats, and particularly, low sodium. Cutting back on salt can help prevent heart failure.
- Weight Management: Explain that a healthy weight not only helps your patients maintain good blood pressure, but it also makes it easier for their heart to function correctly.
- Smoking Cessation: If your patient smokes, strongly encourage them to quit. Smoking is responsible for 25% of cardiovascular-related deaths.
