Fun and Fitness for the 40-Something

I’m working on a magazine article about women and heart disease, a topic I’m posted about here before. But the article will include information on a new, hospital-supported online tool for assessing your risk of heart disease. The HeartAware risk assessment is offered by Edward Heart Hospital, located in a suburb of Chicago.

According to Edward Hospital, 45 percent of heart attacks occur in people under age 65, and women account for more than half of the deaths from heart disease. “Unfortunately, the first symptom of heart disease for many people is sudden death,” says Vince Bufalino, MD, medical director of cardiovascular services at Edward Heart Hospital and president and CEO of Midwest Heart Specialists. But HeartAware can screen people so they know their risk for heart disease and can take action, if necessary.

The assessment takes only about five minutes (I took it, and it really did require only five minutes). It asks simple questions and offers information about heart disease. If you are identified as being at risk for heart disease or stroke, it provides information on how to follow up with the appropriate screenings and treatment.

“The sooner someone becomes aware of a risk for heart attack or stroke, the better chance they have for a successful intervention and outcome,” Bufalino says. HeartAware is the first step.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at 8:20 am and is filed under Health and Wellness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.