San Francisco VA Health Care System
VA Goes Red for Women’s Healthy Heart Awareness
Top Row: Dr. Abigail Wilson (Physician, Women’s Health Medical Co-Director); Winnie Deguzman (Lead MSA), Dr. Kaela Joseph (Psychologist, Women Veterans Program Manager), Leonides Penaflor (RN, Charge Nurse), Elizabeth Enriquez (RN) Bottom Row: Dr. Caitlin Hasser (Psychiatrist, Women’s Mental Health Director), JulieTupulua (LVN), Dr. Karla Kerlikowske (Physician, Women’s Health Medical Co-Director), Valerie Johnson (MSA), Liliane Renous (MSA), Elana Diaz (RN, Mammography & Maternity Care Coordinator)
February is American Heart Month, and VA facilities across the nation are working to ensure Veterans get the message that it’s important to take care of your heart. On February 2, San Francisco VA Health Care System’s (SFVAHCS) Women’s clinic along with VA employees across the nation wore red to raise awareness about women’s heart disease. SFVAHCS’s Women’s Health Clinic provides a variety of health services to address the unique needs of women Veterans, including a new Women’s Cardiac Clinic.
The number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease, and women Veterans are in no way exempt.
“Know your numbers and your risk factors when it comes to heart disease. When investing in healthy lifestyle changes, start reasonable, don’t make drastic changes that you can’t maintain,” said Dr. Laura Flink of the SFVAHCS Women’s Cardiac Clinic. “You’re not alone in this fight. Talk with your Primary Care provider today about your potential risk factors and how to prevent heart disease today.”
Know Your Numbers
Fortunately, heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education, and it all starts with knowing your numbers. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you be aware of five key numbers: Total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body Mass Index (BMI). These numbers are important because they help providers determine your risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
Heart Disease Symptoms in Women
The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women, and are often misunderstood as they can be mistaken for other medical conditions. Many women think the signs of a heart disease are unmistakable, like feeling as though an elephant is sitting on your chest or intense tingling in your arm. Heart disease signs for women can be subtle and sometimes confusing. The most common heart disease symptom experienced by people of all genders is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to experience other heart disease signs, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Back or jaw pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Extreme fatigue
- Fullness, or pain center of chest
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
Recognizing and managing risk factors with your provider is the first step to preventing heart disease. Talk with your provider about your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and things that can contribute to these risk factors, such as diet and exercise regiments and family medical history.
Take Action with Seven Simple Tips
- Manage Blood Pressure
- Optimize Cholesterol
- Manage Blood Sugar
- Stay Active
- Eat Healthy
- Manage Weight
- Stop Smoking
Be Mindful
In our fast paced society, it can be hard to find time to take care of oneself. You might be looking at all these tips and wondering, “That’s great, but where do I even start!?” There is a growing body of research suggesting that just finding time to breathe and notice your surroundings can help reduce stress, which, in turn, can greatly reduce heart health risks. We call this practice of being in the moment or “mindfulness.” The practice of mindfulness has shown promising results in helping people reduce anxiety, manage pain, develop healthier eating habits, cope with past traumas. The VA even offers a free app called “Mindfulness Coach,” available through the VA App Store. The SFVAHCS also offers multiple options to learn mindfulness through groups, classes, and individual appointments with trained providers. Ask your providers if mindfulness might be right for you!
Women Veterans Resources
The Women’s Health Clinic at SFVAMC provides integrated, comprehensive women’s health services by staff with specialized expertise in caring for women Veterans. SFVAHCS also has Designated Women’s Health Primary Care Providers in all of our Community Based Outpatient Clinics. For more information about Women’s Health Services, please call the Women Veterans Program Manager, Kaela Joseph, PhD, at (415) 221-4810, ext. 3956.
This February, renew your commitment to making small lifestyle changes that can lower your risk for cardiovascular diseases and reduce symptoms.
