Heart disease: women should be screened early and often
Three women 2 If physical activity decreases risk of heart disease, Anne Fagan Niven, PhD, is an unlikely heart attack victim. At least three times per week, Niven spends more than an hour in the BJC WellAware Center on the Washington University Medical Center campus. "I''m there religiously," she says. "I emphasize cardio and thirty minutes of weight training. It''s a priority for me now, non-negotiable."
Yet, although she takes care of herself physically, Niven is one of millions of women who''ve suffered a heart attack.
"People are blown away," she says. "I was 39 in quote ''perfect health,'' and didn''t have classic symptoms."
For many women, there are no classic symptoms. Doctors say heart disease can affect women of any age. "One of the misconceptions is that premenopausal women are protected from heart disease, but it affects women who are premenopausal as well," says Jane Chen, MD, Washington University electrophysiologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "In fact, one of every 9,000 heart attacks occurs in women less than 45 years old."
Niven, an associate professor in the Washington University School of Medicine''s department of neurology, is a member of that one in 9,000 as she suffered a heart attack days before her father''s funeral in Florida. Her father''s unexpected death in January 2002 was just one of a number of significant stressful events Niven experienced that year.
"I feel like stress was the factor because I worked out, had low cholesterol, I''m not diabetic, I''m not overweight, and I don''t smoke," says Niven, "but I''m adopted so I have to be treated as high risk for everything." Family history is a major risk factor for heart disease and that high risk combined with a high stress level may have led to the heart attack that left Niven in an ICU before a three-month recovery and a return to St. Louis.
If a person doesn''t know their family history, they need to be more careful. "In women, it''s important to stress risk factors and lifestyle modification," says Jennifer Lawton, MD, Washington University cardiac surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "We need to focus on prevention of the disease and focus on the risk factors."
Dr. Lawton says women can reduce their risk of heart attack -- even if they''ve already been diagnosed with heart disease – by following five key steps:
- Stop smoking
- Lower high blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Be physically active each day
Those are five steps Niven now follows "religiously." Her friend, Marye Gleeva, MD, Washington University electrophysiologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, helped her find a cardiologist for her follow up care, and Niven enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. Not only does she continue to exercise regularly and follow a good diet, she has significantly reduced the stress in her life.
"I''m a single, working mom with no family in the area," she says. "So having enough time in the day to get everything done that needs to get done is a real stressor for me. I''ve done some simple things to earn back some time, such as hiring someone to mow my lawn, someone who helps clean the house and I''ve become more realistic to my limitations."
"I try not to sweat the small stuff anymore, too."
Dr. Lawton says women need to get screened regularly for heart disease. "And we need to urge women to ask questions when they go to their doctors about heart disease and their symptoms," says Dr. Lawton.
Women will have a free opportunity to do just that at the National Women''s Heart Day Health Fair on Friday, February 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Women can learn their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels and body mass index from the 15-minute heart health screenings conducted by Barnes-Jewish Hospital nurses. Results are provided on-site and include an overall risk assessment and counseling from Washington University experts. Women also can participate in a variety of activities and learn about heart healthy lifestyles, plus there will be prizes and giveaways. The event is free and done in partnership with the Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation, Inc.
Also sponsoring the event locally are Mercy Health Plans, KTVI Fox 2, A. G. Edwards, Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis Woman magazine, Aurora Medical Spa and the State of Missouri''s Office on Women''s Health.
It''s important information that can save lives. Information Niven hopes other women take heed to. "I wake up everyday and thank God I''m alive," says Niven. "I came way too close to dying."
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 314-TOP DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free at 866-867-3627.