VIDEO: Heart disease is the # 1 killer of women

BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE All Woman writer

Monday, April 18, 2011

THE Heart Foundation of Jamaica is reporting that heart disease is the number one killer of women in Jamaica.

In a quest to sensitise women on the risk surrounding the disease and how it can be prevented, the Foundation last week celebrated 'Go Red For Women' week.

Janene Hibbert, Fund Development and Communications Manager at the Heart Foundation, explained that Go Red for Women was a global campaign aimed at giving women a personal and urgent wake up call about the risk of heart disease, an illness once mistakenly conceived to be a "male disease".

"Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Jamaica," Hibbert said. "The most unfortunate thing is the disease may be prevented and/or controlled, but all too often persons do not understand their levels of risk."

The main objectives of the global Go Red for Women Campaign were to enable the reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women through improved prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, beginning with increased awareness, and also to build global awareness, attention and commitment to the disease.

Hibbert advised that individuals -- both men and women -- should be aware that they are at risk and should make use of available opportunities for screening. All persons should seek to adopt healthy lifestyle practices regardless of age.

"Knowing about the most common risk factors, signs and symptoms is the first step in fighting this disease and saving women's lives," she added.

Warning signs of heart disease for women are:

* Chest pressure, pain or discomfort that comes and goes.

* Pain localised to areas such as the arm, shoulder, jaw, stomach or back.

* Shortness of breath in the absence of pain.

* Nausea or passing out.

The Heart Foundation conducts screenings to determine the risk factors for heart disease. Screening for heart disease is done by testing for the risk factors. Persons may visit the Heart Foundation of Jamaica at 28 Beechwood Avenue to have tests done. These may be done with or without a doctor's referral and include:

* ECG test (heart test to detect if there is an abnormal heart rhythm)

* Hypertension (blood pressure test to detect high blood pressure)

* Diabetes (blood sugar test or HBA1C test to detect uncontrolled blood sugar)

*Iron test (HB test to detect poor iron levels in the blood)

*Cholesterol test to detect fat levels in the blood

*Urinalysis (to detect diabetes and kidney problems)

* Weight checks.

Hibbert said CVD and its risk factors are common in Jamaica, therefore health care providers are obliged to assess all persons over 35 years for CVD as over 90 per cent of these persons will have at least one CVD risk factor.

[ video link for mobile viewing ]

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VIDEO: Heart disease is the # 1 killer of women