The truth in matters of the heart.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and men in the U.S. Women can be their own best advocates by learning about risk factors and prevention of heart disease. Traditional risk factors—some of which impact women differently than men— include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity, obesity, and smoking. For women, smoking and diabetes increase risk of developing coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack. Other risk factors, such as stress, depression, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory conditions, are more common in women. Risk factors exclusive to women are related to menopause and childbirth. Women and their loved ones should know and watch for the most common heart attack symptoms: chest pain accompanied by lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, or vomiting; discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, or upper back; pain in one or both arms; shortness of breath; and abdominal discomfort. If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Raising a flag, raising awareness.
Studies show that Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans are the most at-risk populations for heart disease. Alarmingly, one in every two Black women over age 20 in the U.S. have some form of heart disease. Dr. LaPrincess C. Brewer, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, is working tirelessly to connect with this population of women. According to Dr. Brewer’s research, the root causes of cardiovascular health disparities are complex and significantly influenced by social determinants or drivers of health—including access to quality health care, employment opportunities, healthy foods, and stable housing, to name a few. To address these disparities, Dr. Brewer leads a team that developed an individual- and community-level intervention called FAITH! (Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health) in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester communities. The program aims to support African American women in improving heart health for themselves and within their communities.
Growing a whole new body of data.
Would it surprise you to know that being heart-healthy can still leave you at risk of heart attack? Over the past decade, a team of Mayo Clinic researchers have focused on a population of women who experience spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a relatively uncommon cause of heart attack and sudden death, but a significant one for women. Up to 40% of all heart attacks in women under the age of 50 are due to SCAD. When Mayo Clinic physician and founder of the Women’s Heart Clinic, Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, was approached by a SCAD survivor to inquire about research on the condition, very little was available.
Since then, Dr. Hayes and colleagues have developed a unique way to research SCAD using online networks across the globe to recruit women for the Mayo Clinic SCAD Registry and to analyze their genetic and clinical data. Over 90% of SCAD patients are women—often young, healthy, and fit without significant standard risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol. Dr. Hayes’ study has recruited more than 1,500 women who now make up the world’s largest SCAD registry. In addition to research on SCAD, a multidisciplinary clinical team now provides care to SCAD survivors in the Mayo Clinic SCAD Clinic. Dr. Hayes’ findings have painted a fuller picture of the risk factors leading to SCAD and how to better diagnose and treat it, although she’ll be the first to tell you her work is not done.
