The Heart Center of the Rockies and the Dress Barn in Loveland will team up February 4 to promote women's heart health awareness during February, National Heart Health Awareness Month.

HCOR staff members will be at Dress Barn, 5721 McWhinney Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to conduct free blood pressure checks and provide educational materials about heart disease in women.

The store will host give-away drawings and offer a 15-percent discount to anyone wearing red who shops at Dress Barn in Loveland on the day of the event.

“Dress Barn is committed to promoting women’s health and Heart Health Month is a perfect time to host this event,“ said Anita Blea, Dress Barn store manager.

Dr. Wendy Austin, HCOR cardiologist, said the event provides a good opportunity for women to learn about risk factors for heart disease and the signs and symptoms associated with a heart attack. Arming women with accurate heart health information is critical to prevention and early detection of heart disease, she said.

“The statistics surrounding heart disease in women are alarming," Austin pointed out. "One in four women will die of heart disease. Twenty-three percent of women will die within a year after having a heart attack.”

“The good news is that by aggressively managing risk factors, women can prevent or delay the onset of heart disease,” said Austin. “In those who already have heart disease, controlling risk factors can delay or even stop the progression of the disease and strongly improve outcomes.”

More about heart disease in women

Dr. Austin warns that if a woman falls into any of the risk categories listed below or isn’t sure that she does, she should talk to her doctor. Testing is available to help identify possible heart disease and specific lifestyle changes that can help lower the risk for heart disease.

Heart disease risk factors for women:

• Smoking.
• Women over age 55.
• High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher, or if you are on blood pressure medication).
• Family history of heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Body mass index greater than 25.
• Lack of physical activity.
• High cholesterol level (either high LDL or HDL cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dl).
• Stress.
• Sleep apnea.

“Often, in our efforts take care of others, women overlook or minimize the early signs of a heart attack,” said Austin. “This is dangerous, considering the survival rate is much lower for women who prolong treatment. It’s important to know that the warning signs of a heart attack can be different for men than women.”

Warning signs include:

• Flu-like symptoms which can include nausea, light-headedness and cold-sweats.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sudden or extreme fatigue.
• Chest discomfort.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Symptoms can occur individually or together and can happen quickly or over an extended period of time.

--PVHS--