Women Encouraged To Ask About Heart Health

Research released this week shows a lot of doctors don't treat women as aggressively as men when it comes to risk factors for heart disease.

But there are things women can do to protect themselves.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in this country. Despite efforts to raise awareness, a lot of women and their doctors simply aren't getting that message.

And if you don't think you could be at risk, meet one woman who might make you think again.

"I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I said, 'I'm a healthy 30-year-old woman,'" said Cindy DeMarco. Four years ago, she suffered a heart attack that could have killed her.

"I started having a crushing chest pain, upper back pain, I was nauseous, I was dizzy, tingling down the side of my arm and in my jaw," DeMarco said.

She headed to the hospital. Despite her symptoms, doctors wanted to send her home with some muscle relaxers.

She demanded more tests.

"I looked above me and saw an EKG and I said, 'I want one of those,' and the doctors finally hooked me up. And lo and behold, I'm having a heart attack," DeMarco said.

DeMarco might have saved her own life by speaking up at the hospital that day.

But doctors say women should also be more proactive about their heart health before they end up in the emergency room.

"Awareness is just the first step. You've got to take awareness into action. Because, when we act upon our risk factors, and change them, that's when our risk of heart attack lowers," said Dr. Susan Bennet, the director of George Washington University Hospital's women's heart program.

Women with a higher risk of heart disease include women with the following health issues:

* high blood pressure
* high cholesterol
* diabetes
* being overweight
* smoking

Bennett wants women to speak up and ask more questions when they talk to their doctors.

"Say, 'I'd like to know what my risk of heart disease is. I'd like to then know what I can do about that risk,'" Bennett said.

DeMarco's heart attack was triggered by a blood clot caused by a spasm in an artery.

She has fully recovered, has made some lifestyle changes, and even ran the Marine Corps marathon last fall.

"I'm doing well, and, thank God, that day I was adamant about my treatment, or else I wouldn't be enjoying what I'm enjoying today," DeMarco said.

Cindy had some of the classic symptoms of a heart attack. However, doctors say you should know that women's symptoms can be very different from men's.

About 500,000 women die from heart disease in this country each year, and a lot of those deaths could be prevented if women learn more about this.