Nation Focuses on Women's Heart Health; First Woman's Heart Day Generates Interest in Number One Killer of American Women 2/21/2003
From: George Washington University Hospital, 202-715-4447 Web: http://www.gwhospital.com WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson, announced this morning that the third Friday in February has been designated as Woman's Heart Day as part of "The Heart Truth," the national campaign conducted by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Across the nation events will focus on educating women about heart disease, the number one killer of women in America. The physicians at The George Washington University Hospital are committed to this cause. The Hospital will open the Women's Program at the GW Cardiovascular Center in late spring 2003, to 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. "It is vital that women understand that heart disease is not simply a men's issue and this day creates an important forum for discussion," says Dr. Susan K. Bennett, director of the Women's Heart Program. "At GW Hospital we provide individualized assistance to make women healthier." The day will also focus on how women's risks may differ from their male counterparts. Dr. Judith Hsia, director of the Lipid Research Clinic at the GWU Medical Center, is committed to research on ways to prevent and treat heart and vascular disease in women. "Since one out of every three women in the United States die of heart disease, it's important to include women in research studies, so we can find out what works for women as well as for men," says Dr. Hsia. At the 2003 Women's Heart Day Health Fair Expo, Dr. Hsia represented the Women's Health Initiative, for which she is a principal investigator, on the NIH-sponsored panel "Hormone Therapy: Hot Flashes and Beyond." Dr. Hsia and Dr. Bennett are available to make additional comments on women and heart disease and the new Women's Heart Program at The GW Hospital's Cardiovascular Center. -- Dr. Susan K. Bennett, is an expert in how heart disease affects women and specializes in prevention and heart failure. Office: 202-723-5524 -- Dr. Judith Hsia, is an authority on women and heart disease. Office: 202-741-2321 |