Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD

What’s the leading cause of death
among women?

Did you say breast cancer? The correct answer is heart disease, which affects more than 8 million women in the U.S., killing 267,000 each year. Heart disease is six times deadlier than breast cancer and more women die from heart disease than men. And, heart disease presents itself differently in women than men. For all these reasons, being aware of the risks and taking steps toward better health is vital for women.

A New Resource for Women
Now there’s a great new resource to help women battle heart disease. Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD, executive director of the McConnell Heart Health Center at Riverside Methodist Hospital, is the co-author of a new book. “The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide” focuses on gender-specific characteristics of cardiovascular disease.

Be HE♥rt Smart

While some risk factors for heart disease are uncontrollable, such as family history or age, living a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of heart disease by 82 percent. Take action for better heart health now by following these tips:

• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Know your risk for diabetes.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Quit smoking.

"This is a life-threatening illness that needs to be a part of every woman’s evaluation."

“The differences between men and women are significant and begin with the symptoms of a heart attack,” says Dr. Caulin-Glaser. “Men typically feel crushing pain and pressure in the chest, women tend to experience heartburn-like discomfort, extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. Yet women often dismiss these symptoms that should be raising red flags.”

• Women’s hearts are more susceptible to stress.
• Some noninvasive diagnostic testing is not as accurate for women.
• Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and cholesterol are more dangerous for women.

“Women today are more aware of their risks but, unlike breast cancer, they are still not acting on them with regular screenings,” says Dr. Caulin-Glaser. “This book can help women start a conversation with their doctors to discuss their heart health.”

Read, Learn, Help Others
The book explains the anatomy and functions of the heart, identifies risk factors, reviews screenings and treatments and outlines a heart-healthy lifestyle. The book is available at local bookstores, the Riverside Methodist Hospital gift shop, the McConnell Heart Health Center and the Riverside Women’s Boutique. Pick up a copy for yourself and the women you love … it just might save a life.

Riverside Methodist Hospital was the only central Ohio adult hospital named to U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 list of “America’s Best Hospitals” for heart and heart surgery. To find out more about what makes Riverside Methodist’s heart care nationally ranked, visit www.ohiohealth.com/riverside. Visit www.doyourheartgood.com for tips on prevention, heart-healthy recipes and more.

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