Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. Approximately one million Americans die every year from this disease. Yet, despite increasing public awareness, the cardiovascular health of the U.S. population remains in disturbingly poor shape. According to a recently published analysis, only 2 percent of individuals meet the American Heart Association definition of “ideal” cardiovascular health. Per the new definition, cardiovascular risk is based on seven health behaviors and risk factors - smoking status, healthy body mass index (BMI)

Health screenings are a great way to insure early detection and treatment of health issues that affect women. There are numerous things ladies can do for themselves to improve health outcomes and be able to more fully enjoy living. Early detection and treatment often prevent the progression of health issues that reduce one’s quality of life. Women sometimes delay their own health care while making sure family members are getting appropriate care. Don’t be the patient who says, “The biggest regret I have is neglecting my health.”   So what can we do?

This February, join thousands of people across the country that will come together to wear red for “Go Red Day for Women.” This campaign is in support of women’s health, to bring awareness to heart disease among women. Many Americans are not aware that an increasing number of women are dying from this deadly disease every year. According to the American Heart Association, one-in-three women will die from heart disease.   It comes as no surprise that this is the number one cause of death for women in the United States.

The month of February is American Heart Month and Friday, Feb. 4 is National Wear Red Day. Heart Disease is the number one killer of American women. It kills one out of every three American women. Everyone is encouraged to wear red on Feb. 4 to encourage women to take care of their heart. Cardiovascular disease is mostly preventable, so understanding these serious health threats can make a lifesaving difference. Much research needs to be done on heart disease in women.

Dina Piersawl, formerly of Winchester, will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Thursday. Piersawl will share how her initial misdiagnosis of high blood pressure led to a stroke. The segment was taped on Nov. 4, 2010, and was co-hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz. The show is titled “Oprah’s Five Things You Need to Know to Have a Fabulous New Year.” Dina is a member of WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women Living with Heart Disease. WomenHeart Champion raises awareness of women’s heart health through patient support, education and community support.

With the recent smoking ban and the Rails to Trails movement, getting fit and heart-healthy are becoming increasingly important to residents of Clark County. The Heart Walk, an annual event sponsored by the American Heart Association, will be this weekend at the Winchester Traveling Trail to raise money and awareness about these important issues. Sun Community Editor Rachel Parsons spoke to Jennifer Ebert, the Heart Walk director for central Kentucky and the Lake Cumberland region, about the event and how community members can get involved.

Shelly Selby began her speech about women's heart health Friday with a dedication that put a face on the many grim statistics she was about to reel off. "I'm dedicating this speech to my 74-year-old mother back home in West Tennessee," Selby, director of cardiopulmonary and laboratory services at Ephraim McDowell Regional Center, said in remarks before some 50 women at a luncheon at the Community Arts Center. "She is one of the increasing number of women who are living with heart disease," she said to the women, many of them dressed in red and sitting at tables decorated in a Valentine's theme with red and pink balloons.

Heart disease is the No.1 killer of women in the United States. Each year, about 267,000 women die from heart attacks or other heart-related diseases. This year, you can show your support for women's heart disease prevention by participating in National Wear Red Day Feb. 6. Heart disease and heart attacks in women are commonly overlooked. Many women report early warning signs of an impending heart attack as early as a month before the attack occurs. Understanding the early warning signs of a heart attack will help decrease your chance of death.

This February, join thousands of people across the country who will come together to wear red for "Go Red Day. " This campaign is in support of women's health to bring awareness to women's heart disease. Many Americans are not aware of the increasing number of women who are dying from this deadly disease every year. According to the American Heart Association, one out of three women will die from heart disease. It comes as no surprise that this is the number one leading cause of death for women in the United States.

Heart disease in dogs and cats has some similarities to heart problems in people. However, there are some significant differences. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to sufficiently circulate blood to meet the body's needs. This usually means there is failure of either the heart muscle or a valve inside the heart. The most common cause of heart failure in dogs is mitral valve insufficiency. It is more common in small breeds. Mitral valve disease is estimated to account for up to 80 percent of all dog heart disease cases.