The American Heart Association’s National Go Red Campaign has increased awareness that heart disease is the number one health threat for women. To illustrate this point, here is a brief history of heart disease in relation to women.
· 1950s to mid-1960s – The media emphasizes how women can take care of their husbands’ hearts.
· Mid-1960s to 1970s – Information, related primarily to men, on prevention, risk factors and warning signs becomes available.
· Late 1980s to early 1990s – Research finds that women differ from men when it comes to managing risk factors, identifying symptoms, determining diagnosis and implementing treatment.
· 1993 – Educational campaigns about heart disease in women are initiated.
· 1997 – Specific heart disease prevention recommendations for women become available.
· 2000s – Campaigns for clinicians and the public begin to make strides towards understanding heart disease in women.
Although many women know that heart disease is a top health threat, the message does not always translate into action. As February is American Heart Month, UNM’s Employee Health Promotion Program encourages everyone to take action. Learning about personal risk factors and making lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the risk of developing heart-related problems.
EHPP helps UNM employees and their dependents take action by offering services to evaluate personal risk for heart disease.
Services include:
· Physiological assessments, including lipid and glucose testing
· One-on-one consultations to help understand test results and establish an action plan
· Tobacco cessation consultations
· Group educational sessions on a variety of health topics.
For more information, visit Human Resources and click “Wellness.”
Story by Mary Jo Quintana, CHES, manager, Employee Health Promotion Program