Heart disease bigger threat to women than breast cancer, Dr. Olubi says

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  Every fall, the nation goes pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. Thousands march, fundraise and sport pink clothing to call attention to the disease. Yet little will be said about heart diseases, which kill more women than lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer combined, according to Dr. Bukola Olubi M.D, a cardiologist with Piedmont Heart Institute in Feyetteville.

 It is estimated that one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime while one in three women will have heart disease in her life time. Heart disease poses a particular threat to women in Georgia, which has the 12th highest death rate from cardiovascular  disease in the country.

“Heart disease is not a man’s disease or an old person’s disease, Dr. Olubi said “Heart disease is the leading killer of women. Women often wait to get treated or screened because they are too busy being caretakers. They have to take care of themselves too.”

 In the state of Georgia, heart disease and stroke account for 28.2 percent of all female deaths, according to the American Heart Association. That’s the equivalent of about 27 deaths each day.

 Putting Georgia women more at risk for heart disease and stroke is lifestyle, especially eating habits. More than half of all women in Georgia are obese and overweight, according to the American Heart Association. Additionally, over 15 percent of women smoke cigarettes- another risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

 “Some women risk factors include elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension and smoking, but for women over the age of 35 physical inactivity is almost as bad as smoking cigarettes,” Dr Olubi said. “The first thing for women to do is to get active and then make sure their doctors are evaluating their risks for heart disease or they get a comprehensive heart screening.”

 For women who do not have a pre-existing heart issue, Piedmont offers a screening inclusive of a physical exam, lab work and complete health history. Women who participate in the screening receive a comprehensive heart health report they can take home with detailed recommendations and next steps.

 For more information or to sign up for the women’s heart health screening at Piedmont, visit piedmontred.org.

Source:  Citizen's newspaper, Health Wise section, February 10, 2016, Fayetteville, Georgia