The heart of women's health.(Editorials)(Editorial)

Publication: American Family Physician

Publication Date: 15-OCT-06

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women and has claimed the lives of more women than men annually since 1984. A woman's risk of dying from CVD is one in 2.4; her risk of death from breast cancer is around one in 29. (1) Despite the seeming ubiquity of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's red dress symbol, surveys continue to demonstrate a low awareness--particularly among minority groups--that CVD is the leading health risk for women. (2)

One cited barrier to initiating CVD risk-lowering behaviors is confusion in the media. Although media attention to heart disease in women raises awareness, the messaging can be overwhelming. There is clearly an opportunity in the clinical setting to educate women about CVD risk; however, the reason most often given by women for not speaking to their health care professionals about heart health is that the health care professional did not bring it up. (2) In this issue of American Family Physician, Dr. Hayes discusses the American Heart Association's (AHA's) guidelines for assessment and treatment of CVD risk in women, including counseling on lifestyle interventions and management of...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.