News

Cardiologist to present on "Gender Differences in Heart Disease"

Dr. John Moses

Dr. John Moses, Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiologist, will speak at Boscobel Area Health Care's Open House at 1:00 on Sunday, April 27, 2008, on gender differences in heart disease. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Heart disease is serious business for men and women. In recent years, as research attention has focused on women subjects, more has been learned about how heart disease differs between genders.

Heart disease in women reveals staggering statistics. Ten percent of women ages 45 - 64 and 25% age 65 and over are living with heart disease. Nearly 13% of women age 45 and over have had a heart attack. And, the most jarring fact --heart disease is the number one killer of women, claiming the lives of more women than the next seven causes of death combined.

"The good news is that heart disease and stroke are largely preventable," says Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiologist John Moses, MD. "Increased awareness is helping women take action to prevent heart disease through healthy lifestyle changes including heart-healthy nutrition, regular exercise and regular medical check-ups." If heart disease does develop, early detection, accurate diagnosis and prompt, proper treatment are critical.

Heart attack symptoms in women - not always typical

For both men and women, common warning signs of a heart attack include:

  • Chest pain - or discomfort, pressure or squeezing sensation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abnormally weak and/or fast pulse
  • Feeling faint or dizzy
  • Sweating, often heavy and cold
  • Nausea or upset stomach

Symptoms may differ for women. Women are less likely than men to feel severe chest pain and are more likely to report feeling severe heartburn in the upper abdomen or pain in the breast.

Act quickly if symptoms occur

"Time is of the essence for a full recovery," says Dr. Moses, "yet many people delay treatment due to denial, concern about feeling foolish if the symptoms are not a heart event, or lack of knowledge about the atypical symptoms of heart attack."

Dr. Moses' advice to men and women:

  • Take symptoms seriously and act quickly. With a heart attack, every minute of symptoms is one minute of dying heart muscle. When in doubt, chew a "regular" aspirin (not acetaminophen), if you are not allergic. Aspirin can reduce the chance of dying from a heart attack by 25 percent.
  • Go directly to a hospital, not to an urgent care clinic.
  • Call an ambulance or EMS. Emergency transport can get you to a hospital in minutes.

"Knowledge is power," says Moses. "People should know their blood pressure and cholesterol status. Abnormal readings can lead to early, effective treatment."

Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute is the largest independent cardiology practice in south-central Wisconsin. Its experts provide general cardiology care and have highly specialized expertise to diagnose and treat vascular disease, vein problems and heart rhythm issues.

"Our physicians are passionate about providing prompt access and comprehensive heart and vascular care, in addition to offering leading-edge technology and exceptional service - and we have an unfailing commitment to quality," says Moses of Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute. "We're proud to be the only cardiology program in the state to earn the National Commission on Quality Assurance Award for our care of people who have had a heart attack or stroke. Quality matters to us because we know how much it matters to our patients."

A heartfelt partnership benefits patients

Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute physicians travel to rural areas to meet with patients in their own hometown facility. Dr. Moses practices in Boscobel one day a week.

Dr. Moses is able to see patients at Boscobel Area Health Care for their initial appointments, diagnoses, certain treatments and follow-up care. Surgical procedures are done at Meriter Heart Hospital, which opened this summer and is the first hospital of its kind in the region.

"The Heart Hospital is a new concept in care that showcases the latest technology and care teams that are among the best in the country," says Meriter President and CEO Jim Woodward. "It's yet another way that Meriter, as a not-for-profit hospital, continues to focus on our mission to heal, to teach and to serve."

"We are proud to partner with Meriter Heart Hospital and Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute to bring these services to Boscobel. Strong partnerships allow us to offer patients choices with minimal travel," says Mary Sprosty, Community Relations Coordinator for Boscobel Area Health Care.

Dr. John Moses provides cardiovascular care at Boscobel Area Health Care so area residents can get world-class care close to home. Dr. Moses is president of the 14-physician Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute. For more information, go to www.wiheart.com.