Amy's Blog

Statins & Women

   Did you see the report yesterday on CBS about women and statins?  CBS Morning News featured a story about these cholesterol drugs. Their report indicated doctors are more likely to give statins, like Lipitor, Lovastatin and Crestor to men.  A new study published in the January 30th online edition of the American College of Cardiology shows statins work just as well for women.

   Dr. Holly Phillips, who reports for CBS, said "Women are less likely to be screened for high cholesterol...and are 20 percent less likely to be treated with statins for the same numbers as men and the medical establishment isn't taking women's complaints as seriously, so women need to be their own advocates."

  Of course there are cardiologists who are doing cholesterol screenings in their female patients and working hard to keep women heart healthy. And that's the goal of "Go Red for Women," to educate all ages of women about their risk for heart disease. I continue to repeat these frightening numbers because I think they have real impact;  one woman dies every minute in this country from heart disease. Ten thousand Tennessee women will die this year alone from heart disease. But 80 percent of the cases are preventable!!!!  That's what we want to shout from the rooftops. You can reduce your risk of being totally debilitated by a heart attack, or of dying, by changing what you can, like how you eat, how active you are and by getting a thorough heart check up.

 Don't be afraid to ask your doctor about your risk of heart disease. And as I've written about in a blog earlier this week, take advantage of the free heart screenings being offered all this month at Saint Thomas Heart in Brentwood. Just call 800-345-5016 to set up your appointment. I've already made mine:)

  Let this day be the first of many days for you to love your heart and make sure you're doing all you can to have the strongest heart possible.

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