Pioneer in Cardiology

A common suggestion given by all different types of healthcare professionals is to ‘avoid stress.’ I often hear friends or colleagues or patients say they are “stressed-out,” which is now a favorite American catchphrase for when we are overwhelmed, overworked, and fatigued. I have also seen the physical manifestations of what long-term, high-stress situations can do to the body. Stress is well-documented as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Since there are stressors all around us, some unavoidable, I speak to my patients about managing stress more than eliminating it. Some modicum of stress can actually be beneficial, since it spurs us on to accomplish tasks, or give meaningful situations the care they deserve.

I was driving around the Wichita streets the other day, and saw the sidewalks filled with people walking, jogging, kids playing in the park. As terrific as the summer is, Kansas in autumn can be a perfect time for exercising outside. With kids back to school, many of us adults look to start our exercise programs, and lose a few pounds before the holidays. The best way to do this is by starting an exercise program. But, many of my patients ask, where does one begin?

For thousands of Americans, the first time they are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease is at a time of acute physiological trauma: a heart attack, stroke, or other major event. As much as the healthcare industry has been working to educate the public about disease prevention, risk factors, and symptomology, there are still plenty of people who believe “it couldn’t happen to me.” Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in this country, but due to increased technological advances and more informed patients, the morbidity rate has decreased. Therefore, the bypass or stent that you receive to treat disease can mean an extended life full of enjoyment and activity.

Question: I am 55 years old and I’ve always been worried about dying of breast cancer. However, I have been told recently, that a woman my age has a ten times greater chance of dying from heart disease instead. Is this true? Answer: Many women fear that breast cancer poses their greatest risk of dying. Studies have shown that a woman has about a ten percent chance of dying of breast cancer but nearly a fifty percent chance of dying from heart disease. This is a statistic many women are not aware of. In fact, a recent survey of women (of various ages) revealed that only forty three percent of women were aware that they had to be concerned with heart disease. The unfortunate truth is that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.