The numbers surrounding cardiac disease are frightening and they continue to tell a story that women need to hear. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in four women die from heart disease, making it the number one killer of women in the United States.
In honor of American Heart Month, and, in an effort to help women in the community make their heart health a personal priority, Effingham Health System is hosting a very special February Girls Night Out themed “The Beat Goes On!” On Feb. 28 from 7-9 p.m., Ginger Kieffer, RN, member of the EHS cardiac rehabilitation team, will share her unique insights and heart healthy strategies for women.
Girls Night Out is held at the Effingham Imaging Center, 110 Goshen Rd. Reservations are not required.
Kieffer will provide tips for healthier eating and explain how certain exercises improve cardiovascular health. Because every woman can experience different symptoms of a heart attack, she also will share need-to-know facts about recognizing symptoms and knowing when it’s critical to seek emergency medical care.
Also on hand during the program will be Lori Sowers, community wellness coordinator for the Effingham YMCA, providing a demonstration of quick, easy and fun ways to help keep a healthy beat every day.
Girls Night Out is designed to give women in the community a little of the “me time” they crave while gaining some valuable information on ways to improve their personal health and well being.
Girls Night Out is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The March program will focus on family medical emergencies and April will place the spotlight on spider veins.
Visit www.EffinghamHealth.org or call 826-1427 or 754-0421 for more information.
About women and heart attacks
Symptoms of a heart attack differ in women. While some experience several symptoms, others can present with all, or even show no symptoms before their heart attack. It’s important to know what the symptoms of a heart attack are and when to seek immediate medical attention.
Below are the symptoms to be aware of:
• Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
• Crushing chest pain
• Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms.
• Dizziness or nausea
• Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially with exertion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Crushing chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart attack. In many cases, women may delay treatment because they attribute the cause of their symptoms to other health problems such as indigestion. If you or a woman you know is experiencing the above symptoms — one, some or all — it is so important to seek medical attention from your physician, an emergency room or dial 911.
