Latest Research Findings on Heart Health in Women 2013 rott, MD, FACP llow RWJF Center for Health Policy University of New Mexico llow NM CARES Health Disparities Center Women’s Health Policy Unit, RWJF Center for Health Policy University of New Mexico Professor of Medicine University of New Mexico
This was a presentation made to the Rotary Club of Santa Fe on June 27, 2013 by Dr. Justina Trott , Director Women's Health Policy Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy University of New Mexico.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Latest Research Findings on Heart Health in Women
27 June 2013Justina Trott, MD, FACPSenior Fellow RWJF Center for Health Policy University of New MexicoSenior Fellow NM CARES Health Disparities CenterDirector Women’s Health Policy Unit, RWJF Center for Health Policy University of New Mexico Clinical Professor of Medicine University of New Mexico
The Heart Truth
• Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women—no matter what their race or ethnicity
• Heart disease kills 1 of every 3 American women
• Heart disease can permanently damage your heart—and your life
What Is Heart Disease?
• Coronary heart disease—affects arteries of the
heart
• Heart doesn’t get enough nutrient-rich blood
• Chronic—develops over years
• Atherosclerosis—arteries harden as cholesterol, fat,
and other substances build up in artery walls
• Blockage can result in heart attack
No Quick Fix
• Worsens if not treated—leads to disability or death
• Not “fixed” by surgery or procedures, such as bypass and angioplasty
Why Me? Why Now?
Risk rises ages 40–60• Estrogen level drops during menopause
Risk factors• Smoking• High blood pressure• High blood cholesterol• Overweight/obesity• Physical inactivity• Diabetes• Family history of early heart disease• Age (55 and older for women)
Heart Disease Risk Factors
• Multiply their effects
• Same lifestyle steps prevent/control many of the risk factors
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Trends for Males and Females
United States: 1979-2001
Trends in Heart Disease
Acute MI Mortality by Age and Sex
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease NHANES III: 1988-94
Americans Age 20 and Older by Age and Sex
Age Adjusted Death Rates for Coronary Disease, Stroke, Lung and Breast Cancer
White and Black Females United States 2001
Why Are There Such Disparities?
• Differences in frequency of evaluation in men and women
• Information about women and heart disease is not well studied and not widely published
• Heart disease can be different in women and men
Description A new study by researchers at the Medical College of
Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Johns Hopkins University has found that race, gender and insurance differences factor strongly in the evaluation of patients with chest pain seen in emergency departments
Medical College of Wisconsin Released: Tue 30-Jan-2007
Emergency Departments Test Chest Pain Patients Differently, Based on Race, Gender, Insurance
CONCLUSIONS: In this large, primary-prevention trial among women, aspirin lowered the risk of stroke without affecting the risk of myocardial infarction or death from cardiovascular causes
Differences in Treatment
Women and Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)
Recent studies of the implications of coronary microvascular dysfunction can be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of women with chest pain.
Hopeful Good News
• Heart disease can be prevented or controlled
• Treatment includes lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication
Key Tests for Heart Disease Risk
• Blood pressure• Blood cholesterol• Fasting plasma glucose (diabetes test)• Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference• Electrocardiogram• Stress test
Risk Stratification
• Calculate 10 year risk for all patients with two or more risk factors that do not already meet criteria for CHD equivalent
• Use electronic calculator for most precise estimate: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/index.htm