Heart Disease is the Leading Killer of Women; Women's Heart Program at GW Cardiovascular Center Offers Help

4/25/2003

From: Marti L. Harris of George Washington University Hospital 202-715-4447

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- While many women fear their lives could end as a result of breast cancer, a recent Time Magazine cover story and a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute campaign, are working to educate women that their real threat comes from cardiovascular disease. The Heart Truth campaign maintains that one out of every three women in the U.S. will die from cardiovascular disease; the cardiologists at the George Washington University Hospital's new Women's Heart program not only recognize this risk but seek to work individually with their patients to lower these statistics.

The new facility, to open Summer 2003 will focus on women's heart health and provide an opportunity for women to gain the knowledge and support they need to make decisions about treatment and prevention. The program will emphasize the different ways that women and men are affected by heart disease, and educate all women about the symptoms they may experience. The program will offer such services as preventative risk assessment screenings and motivational and informational support programs geared especially toward women.

The following physicians are available to discuss women and heart disease and the new Women's Heart Program at GW Cardiovascular Center.

Dr. Susan K. Bennett, Clinical Director of the Women's Heart Program, is an expert in how heart disease affects women.

Dr. Judith Hsia, Director of Scientific Research for the Women's Heart Program, is an authority on women and heart disease.

To arrange an interview, please contact Marti L. Harris at 202-715-4447 or marti.harris@gwu-hospital.com.