Cascade Healthcare Community recognizes the importance of heart health in women on Go Red for Women Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bend, Ore. – On Feb. 1 people nationwide will be wearing red in recognition of a united front against heart disease in women for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day. In Central Oregon, it will be no different. The color red has many symbolic meanings, but on this day it shows community support of heart health in women. Cascade Healthcare Community plans to be a leader on this front.
Although heart disease is declining among American women overall, it remains the No. 1 killer among women in the nation. In the most recent data available from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one in four women died from heart disease in 2005. That is a significant shift from one in three in 2004, or a decrease of approximately 17,000 deaths.
In the state of Oregon, there has also been a small decline. According to the American Heart Association 4,692 women died from cardiovascular diseases in 2004. In 2005, that number decreased slightly to 4,655, despite a growing statewide population. Cardiovascular diseases remain the No. 1 killer of women in Oregon, regardless of the decline.
The Heart Center at St. Charles Bend, offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient cardiac services. Heart Center Cardiology physicians have not noticed a decrease in the number of women they serve and Dr. Bruce McLellan says women’s heart health is still a major concern.
“Although we have excellent results in treating heart attack patients in Central and Eastern Oregon, prevention will remain a major focus until cardiovascular diseases are no longer the No. 1 killer of women and men,” Dr. McLellan said. Plans are underway for a screening program located at The Heart Center to begin in 2008 with the hopes of discovering issues before they arise or lead to heart surgery.
For January through September of 2007, The Heart Center performed a total of 955 Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI), which includes inserting stents or balloons to open blocked arteries. Of those 955 cases, 292 were women. This accounts for 31 percent of the procedures. For the first nine month of 2007, 57 women received heart surgery at St. Charles Bend. This makes for 28 percent of total cases.
In 2006, The Heart Center performed a total of 1,184 PCIs of which 344 were women, or 29 percent of the total. Women accounted for 25 percent of the 320 total heart surgeries, or 79 procedures.
Regardless of declines nationally and statewide, all experts agree taking preventative measures to prevent heart disease among women is a step in the right direction.
The American Heart Association encourages women to practice their ABC’s to prevent heart disease, stroke and heart attack. The three steps are avoid tobacco, become more active and choose good nutrition.
Dr. Eddy Young of Heart Center Cardiology recommends that all adults over the age of 40 should be aware of their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol values.
“Exercising regularly and eating right are the mainstays of cardiac health, as these measures may prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease,” Dr. Young said. Young also says individuals whose parents or siblings have had heart disease prior to age 60, should be screened by their doctor for heart disease.
At all the Cascade Healthcare Community campuses, caregivers will be encouraged to wear red in recognition of Go Red Day.