A heart health program for women

Transcona

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/05/2024 (720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not often we hear about a health-care initiative specifically for women aimed at preventing a serious health issue. I was given the opportunity to attend an information session for the Her Heart Her Way program through Access Transcona.

The session was quite informative and the response for attendance was better than expected, according to the organizers. The program is collaboration between the Reh-Fit Centre, Victoria Hospital Foundation and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and is free to all participants. Her Heart Her Way is a primary prevention program for women at risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years. The program is a 12-month behavioral mentoring program open to all people who identify as women with the goal of reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

The first step is to determine if you are eligible for the program by contacting the organization or your primary caregiver, where they will screen you based on several health factors, including the Framingham risk score. If you are considered eligible you will be matched with a lifestyle behaviour mentor who will offer support throughout the 12-month process over the phone, virtually and in person. Your primary caregiver will be asked to provide assistance by providing requisition’s for blood testing and will be updated with the progress of the patient. Surprisingly, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. A women passes of heart disease every 20 minutes.

Women may experience different symptoms as men when it comes to heart attacks. These are just some of symptoms to be aware of and are often dismissed as everyday aches and pains. You can go to several websites to view all possible symptoms. Chest pain may feel like a squeezing or fullness and can be anywhere in the chest. There may be pain in your neck, jaw or back or stomach pain such as extreme abdominal pressure, shortness of breath, nausea or light-headedness for no apparent reason. As well as a sudden nervous cold sweat not like stress related or perspiration, and finally tiredness even after resting, especially in the chest area.

I am impressed that a preventative program is being offered and I encourage those who may fall into the at risk zone to contact the organization, it can’t hurt.

Here are some useful resources:

www.reh-fit.com/heart-health/her-heart-overview

www.thevicfoundation.ca/HerHeartHerWay

news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=56659&posted=2022-10-14

cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca/education/symptoms