Every minute in the United States, someone’s wife, mother, daughter or sister dies from heart attack, stroke or other form of cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 44 million American women are affected by coronary artery disease.
While death rates from heart disease have declined steadily for men over the last 25 years, rates for women have fallen at a slower pace. There are several common misconceptions about heart disease in women. Although risk factors are very similar between both sexes, the recognition and diagnosis of heart disease in women is more challenging. Sasanka Jayasuriya, MD, a cardiologist and women’s heart health specialist at Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, reported that one-third to one-half of women suffering from a heart attack have atypical symptoms.
Rather than experiencing the more familiar symptom of extreme chest pressure as men do, women often report pain in the shoulder, jaw or back, and other unusual signs. “At times, this leads them to visit a dentist, orthopedic doctor or chiropractor before calling their primary care physician for an ECG,” she said. “Because of this, we need to educate women that these types of pains can in fact be the symptoms of a heart attack.”
Under the direction of Dr. Jayasuriya, the Women’s Heart and Vascular Program provides screening, education and treatment for women at risk for, or with established heart disease. Program staff includes cardiologists who are also Yale School of Medicine faculty members, a registered dietitian and registered exercise physiologists.
During an initial visit, the patient meets with a cardiologist who will conduct a risk assessment and health check-up, and discuss the patient’s medical history. The patient will also receive an electrocardiogram to evaluate heart rhythm and check for conditions such as blocked coronary arteries and abnormal heart chamber size. Blood tests will also be ordered for cardiac testing. Depending on clinical findings, a patient will be referred for appropriate cardiac tests and/or physicians, if needed.
Cardiovascular Services is one of the beneficiaries of Greenwich Hospital’s annual Under the Stars fundraiser on June 24. This year, the event incorporates all women’s and children’s services under its umbrella of fundraising. For information about the event, or how to purchase tickets, please see the ad on the back page.
