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Women’s Heart Health Conference encourages you to Go Red for Women.
What is the number one health threat facing women today? It’s not cancer, respiratory illness, diabetes, or pneumonia. Heart disease, most often associated with middle aged and older men, is the leading cause of death in women over 25.
“According to the American Heart Association, only 13% of women even know that heart disease is their leading health threat,” said Kelly Presnell, Public Relations and Marketing at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center.
Close to half a million women, nearly one every minute, die from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular ailment each year. That’s nearly twice the number of lives lost to cancer and more than five times the number of lives lost to the next five leading causes of death combined. The American Heart Association also states that over 60% of women who die from cardiovascular related problems displayed no previous symptoms. Research has shown that within six years of a heart attack, 35% of survivors are likely to experience another, while nearly 11% suffer a stroke, and close to 6% die a sudden cardiac death.
But there’s good news too; heart disease can be avoided. The more women know about their risk factors and prevention, the less likely they are to face cardiovascular illness. Recognizing this, Hilton Head Regional Medical Center and the American Heart Association have joined together to present the 2007 Women’s Heart Health Conference, co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, The Heart and Stroke Fund, and Hargray’s Caring Coins.
“This will be a significant conference for women in our community,” said Janice H. Malafronte, Community Outreach Chairman for the Conference. “We’re encouraging women of all ages and races to attend, especially those women who are impacted the most by heart disease and stroke.”
The 2007 Women’s Heart Health Conference, scheduled for May 5 at Hilton Head High School, seeks to educate women about their heart health and equip them with the information needed to enable them to lower their risk factors and enhance their quality of life.
“Women need to know that no matter what their age, they can make positive lifestyle changes,” said Presnell. While certain factors that increase the potential of heart related problems, such as age, heredity, and previous heart attacks or strokes, are beyond control – other risk factors like smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity can be lessened with lifestyle changes. Learning how to manage stress, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and diabetes also lower the likelihood of heart disease.
“It’s important for women to know what their numbers are,” stressed Presnell. “All women need to know where they stand.” Women can learn just where they stand at the conference. Blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index screenings are planned. Armed with this knowledge, attendees can select two 45 minute break-out sessions to attend. Break-out session topics include everything from understanding diabetes, blood pressure, and hypertension to heart-healthy cooking and exercise demonstrations to stress management and menopause classes. Renowned cardiologist, Dr. Paula A. Johnson of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. A heart healthy lunch will also be served.
“We want women to mark their calendars for May 5 and take time to attend the conference. It’s important that we know how to take care of our hearts and families,” said Leslie Richardson, Community Volunteer and Chairman of the Conference Steering Committee. “As a woman dealing with high blood pressure, I know how difficult it can be to make lifestyle changes. We want women to have the tools and knowledge they need to prevent some health problems or better deal with health issues they’re faced with.”
The conference is part of Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s movement to increase heart awareness in women. The nationwide effort is symbolized by a red dress, which women are encouraged to wear to the 2007 Women’s Heart Health Conference. Hilton Head Regional Medical Center is the local leader of Go Red for Women.
“Some of the main missions of the hospital is prevention and wellness and educating the community on how to lead healthier lives,” said Presnell. Heart screenings, like those offered at the conference, are also held at the hospital on the first and second Tuesday of each month. Prostrate and balance screenings, diabetes education and smoking cessation programs are among the hospital’s many efforts to increase community wellness.
The public is encouraged to call Hilton Head Regional Medical Center at (843) 689-8285 or visit www.hiltonheadregional.com to learn more about healthy living programs offered by Hilton Head Regional Medical Center.
About Keynote Speaker DR. PAULA A. JOHNSON
Keynote speaker Dr. Paula A. Johnson has been recognized by the National Library of Medicine as a national leader in medicine and a highly regarded expert in cardiology care for women and minorities. Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges with MD and MPH degrees from Harvard. She also completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston before serving there as chief medical resident.
Dr. Johnson is currently the executive director of The Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology and chief of the Division of Women’s Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She founded the Center for Cardiovascular Disease in Women at the hospital, which is dedicated to developing strategies for preventing, treating and rehabilitating coronary disease in women.
Dr. Johnson is also an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She was named one of the “Top Doctors” in Boston by Boston Magazine and has been featured in The Boston Globe’s “Ideas Boston” as one of twenty-four leading innovators in Massachusetts. She is also the recipient of the Abigail Adams Award from the Massachusetts Political Caucus, which honors Massachusetts’ top female leaders.
If You GO
Do something good for your heart and attend the 2007 Women’s Heart Health Conference on Saturday, May 5, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hilton Head High School, 70 Wilborn Road.
A heart-healthy lunch is included and refreshments will be provided. Anyone planning to participate in blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index or glucose screenings must fast overnight.
The 2007 Women’s Heart Health Conference is free. Attendees are asked to register in advance by calling (843) 689-8285 or online at www.americanheart.org/womenshearthealthconference.com.
Other valuable heart information, including an online assessment tool that identifies risk factors, can be found at www.goredforwomen.org.
Friends in Need
Breast Cancer support group to offer hope and healing.
When you’re faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer, you may be flooded with fear and many concerns. But a new support group at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center may provide answers for some of those concerns and guide women and men through the diagnosis, treatment and healing stages.
Hope and Healing, the support group, starts this month and will be an avenue for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. “Education and support groups play important roles in the healing process,” said June Kasiak-Gambla, R.N., the breast care coordinator at Hilton Head Regional. “The health care team at HHRMC provides breast cancer care for women from diagnosis to recovery. We are in this together”
On a monthly basis, Hope and Healing will offer different topics and activities pertaining to breast cancer and breast health. Having the support group is one of the first of many activities that will happen as part of the hospital’s breast center.
The sessions will be held at from noon to 1:15 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, beginning on April 3, at LifeSpan, the Center for Integrative Health, 58 Shelter Cove Lane. Lunch will be provided. To register call (843) 689-8285, or visit www.hiltonheadregional.com.
