Core Risks of the Matter

by Karyn Brodsky | Staff Writer

Assessing Your Heart Health Risk

As women, it’s essential to consider the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Alarmingly, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, claiming more lives than all types of cancer combined, according to GoRedForWomen.org.

Statistics on Women and Heart Disease

Dr. Deepika Gopal, a clinical cardiologist specializing in women’s heart health at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, shares the American Heart Association’s concerning statistics. “One in three women in the U.S. has heart disease,” Dr. Gopal states. “Someone dies every minute from heart disease in the U.S., with women dying every 43 seconds.”

Changing Face of Heart Disease

Heart disease, once thought to affect only men, now impacts a significant number of women: 50% of African-American women, 34% of Caucasian women, and approximately 30-40% of Hispanic women. One of the challenges is that heart attack symptoms in women are often different from men’s; they are not always characterized by the dramatic chest pain one might see depicted in movies.

Recognizing Symptoms in Women

<p“Women’s symptoms can be quite atypical,” explains Dr. Gopal. These can include discomfort, fullness, or intermittent pain in the center of the chest or in the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Women may also experience cold sweats, lightheadedness, unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or vomiting. If something feels off, it's crucial for women to seek medical help immediately, as prompt action can be life-saving. Sometimes, women may only notice shortness of breath or be asymptomatic altogether.

A Personal Story

Debra Martinez, the Marketing Director for Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms, understands heart disease’s unexpected nature firsthand after losing her sister to the condition this year. “In 2008, my sister, aged 54, experienced an attack for three days before seeking hospital care. She never experienced chest pain and didn’t understand what was happening,” Martinez reflects. Tragically, by the time she sought treatment, the damage was irreversible. Her sister lived on for another eight years, but her quality of life was significantly affected. “She became a crucial example of the importance of recognizing heart disease signs in women,” Martinez says.

Take a Quick Test for Peace of Mind – Envision Imaging CT technician Kellie Palmer discusses the cardiac screenings available at various metroplex locations (typically covered by insurance).

Preventive Measures for Women

So, what proactive steps can women take to detect and prevent heart disease? Dr. Gopal recommends maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in moderate exercise for 30 minutes four to five times weekly, and quitting smoking. It’s also essential to identify risk factors and consider screening for earlier detection.

The Role of Envision Imaging

Kellie Palmer, a computed tomography (CT) technician at one of Envision Imaging’s facilities in Keller, mentions that they conduct numerous early screenings. “We perform heart CT scans for all demographics—men, women, teens—particularly the Cardiac Calcium Score,” she states.

Understanding the Cardiac Calcium Score

The Cardiac Calcium Score (CCS) scan provides imaging software that identifies calcified plaque in coronary arteries, with the calcified areas measured to indicate risk levels. Palmer notes that since 2009, Texas legislation mandates insurance coverage for preventive imaging screenings, including the CCS.

“Patients should consult their doctors to determine if the CCS is appropriate based on their risk factors such as diabetes, being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease. The test is generally recommended for men aged 45 to 75 and women aged 55 to 75,” Palmer explains, adding that menopause significantly affects heart disease risk in women.

CCS results help guide healthcare providers in patient management. Palmer shares a family example: her father-in-law had no heart issues or symptoms but discovered a high CCS, prompting closer monitoring.

Eliminating Risk Factors

Besides screening, women should actively reduce their heart disease risk factors. Smoking is one of the foremost risks. “Smoking contributes to artery hardening, leading to blockages,” Palmer notes. “Many individuals I’ve seen with heart disease cite smoking as their only risk factor.” Dr. Gopal agrees, emphasizing, “Half of all heart attacks occur in smokers. Quitting smoking is one of the best steps for improving health.”

American Heart Month Awareness

February is recognized as American Heart Month, a fitting time for women to stop smoking, evaluate risk factors, and undertake preventative actions through early detection testing. Palmer mentions that the CCS appointment lasts about 15 minutes, with the actual scan taking only around 15 seconds. “Why not take a 15-second test that could save your life?”

*Source: GoRedForWomen.org             **Source: www.texas.gov

“Many people are unaware that heart disease causes the death of a woman almost every minute or that the rate of heart attacks in younger women has been rising. There’s a misconception that women’s heart disease symptoms mirror men’s, while often they present as nausea, back pain, extreme fatigue, or shortness of breath, rather than the intense chest discomfort we commonly associate with heart attacks. Furthermore, women who experience heart attacks have a higher likelihood of dying within a year than men.”

– Barbra Streisand, founder of the Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in 2012.For additional information, visit www.fighttheladykiller.org.

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths among American women each year, and many fail to recognize it as a risk. A common misconception persists that heart disease predominantly affects older men. To counter these myths and highlight the threats of heart disease and stroke as the leading cause of death among women, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched Go Red For Women, a heartfelt initiative designed to inspire women to prioritize their heart health.

Only 55% of women understand that heart disease is their primary health risk, and fewer than half are aware of the healthy ranges for cardiovascular risk markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol. The Go Red For Women campaign aims to educate women about their risk factors, encouraging them to take proactive steps in protecting their health.

For more information, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.