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Women's Heart Advantage
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Educating women about their risk for heart disease
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Since 1984 more women than men have died from heart attacks. Women's Heart Advantage (WHA) is a nationwide public education and clinical improvement program designed to address women's cardiovascular health. The goal of the program is to raise awareness of heart disease in women and improve early detection and treatment.
"Most women don't realize that their risk of heart disease is as significant for them as it is for men. Also, the symptoms women experience with heart disease can be different from the symptoms men experience." said Diane Pege, M.D., Medical Director, Sutter Lakeside Hospital. "Educating women on their potential risk for heart disease empowers them to determine if they need to consult with their physician to lower their risk. Educating women on what symptoms to watch out for empowers them to seek care early so they can receive appropriate treatment for heart related problems."
Women's Symptons Are Different
New national research indicates that heart disease symptoms in women can be completely different than heart disease symptoms in men. Because of this, women are less likely to be diagnosed and treated early on.
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What We're Doing to Raise Awareness
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Throughout the year Sutter Lakeside Hospital is involved in many activities to educate women in our community about the risks of heart disease. In February, Sutter Lakeside Hospital holds "Getting to the Heart of the Matter," a free educational and health screening event. We also provide education and screenings at several community events throughout the year including the annual Women's Wellness Conference, the Wellness Center's Concert in July and local health fairs. We also provide special education to our physicians, managers and staff on issues specific to women's heart health.
To educate our younger community members, Sutter Lakeside Hospital launched a new mascot program featuring Healthy Mr. Heart. Mr. Healthy Heart accompanies one of our registered cardiac rehabilitation nurses to area schools for our "In a Heartbeat" school site program.
As a participant in the Womens Heart Advantage, Sutter Lakeside Hospital seeks to:- Increase awareness and knowledge about the nature and risks of heart disease in women
Save lives through early recognition of warning signs and symptoms. - Improve communications between patients and physicians and induce behavioral changes to achieve better detection and treatment.
- Improve clinical outcomes
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