Training ambassadors for healthy hearts

Community leaders reach rural, Latina and African-American women—populations most at risk for developing heart disease

In observance of National Wear Red Dress Day — a day when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness — community leaders from throughout the Sacramento area learned about heart disease so they can return to their own community to reduce the risk in women most at risk.

The educational forum, sponsored by the UC Davis Women’s Cardiovascular Medicine Program, brought together 300 community leaders and members of the rural, African-American and Latina populations who shared stories about heart disease and learned prevention measures. The event was held today at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento.

“More women die of heart disease than all cancers combined, yet less than half of women identify heart disease as the greatest health problem facing women today, and most women fail to make the connection between its risk factors and their personal risk of developing heart disease,” said Amparo Villablanca, professor of cardiology at UC Davis Health System and keynote speaker at the forum. “Our goal is to educate women about the signs and symptoms of disease and encourage them to act immediately if they experience any symptoms.”

Another speaker at the event, Fel Ramey, a former business school dean at California State University, Sacramento, was lucky to recognize her shortness of breath as a symptom of heart disease. An exercise enthusiast, Ramey was always in good condition and health. She watched her diet and worked out several times a week. When she noticed feeling tired and short of breath while bike riding, she decided to see her doctor.

“My family and friends told me not to worry about it. That I was in such good shape, my symptoms were probably just related to getting old,” she said. “But when I visited my doctor, he checked my heart and said I needed to see a specialist right away. I never would have thought I could get heart disease, but I did. Being in good shape and recognizing the symptoms early is what my doctor said saved my life. I’m now back to walking six miles a day and have more energy than ever.”

While all women over the age of 60 are at risk for heart disease, Villablanca says women who reside in rural communities, or are of African-American or Latina decent, have the highest rates of heart disease and need special attention.

“African-American women have the highest death rates from heart disease of all ethnic groups,” said Villablanca. “Latinas have high rates of diabetes, which increases their risk of heart disease. And women who reside in rural communities are much less likely to have access to heart care or recognize symptoms of heart disease, and therefore wait too long before seeing a doctor. Such delays can cost them their lives. We hope community leaders attending the UC Davis forum will be our ambassadors to spread the word about heart disease risk and prevention throughout the region.”

Another community leader and speaker at the event was Joanie Jones Kelly, president of the Sacramento chapter of Links, Inc., who is taking the heart disease prevention message to the African-American community.

“Links is an international women’s public service organization that fosters health and wellness, education, civic involvement and cultural enrichment in the African-American community,” she said. “We’ve been serving the Sacramento region since 1952, and since 2002 our outreach efforts have focused on aggressively educating the African- American community about heart disease and other disorders that disproportionately affect people of color.”

Other community groups participating in the forum include: the Healthy Aging Coalition of Northern California, National Coalition of Black Women, Manitos, Department of Health and Human Services, and Haddassah.

Heart Health Tips

Know the signs and symptoms of heart attack: pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest, pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms, chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Know signs and symptoms of stroke: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side. Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye. Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech. Sudden, severe headaches with no apparent cause. Unexplained dizziness, especially with any of the previous symptoms.

Know your risk for heart disease by knowing your numbers for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Adopt a heart healthy lifestyle: Walk 10,000 steps a day, eat a heart healthy, low-sodium diet, and manage your weight.

Call 9-1-1 if you experience any warning signs or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.