TW February 2013 Heart Health Supplement

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2013 Go red For Women

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YoUr Heart HealtH

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An avid runner since high school, Kathleen english, 42, was out jogging when she started having pain in her chest and arm, along with nausea and shortness of breath. she headed to an immediate care center, where an abnormal eKG sent her to the emergency room. Tests showed Kathleen was having a heart attack. Follow-up tests and genetic testing revealed that she has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCm), a hereditary condition marked by an enlarged heart that can’t pump blood effectively.

Your activity level

exercise is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Just 30 minutes of

moderate activity five days a week helps strengthen your heart, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, increases energy levels and stamina, and promotes a sense of well-being. even when exercise is broken into several 10-minute segments throughout the day, giving your heart a little workout can go a long way. Getting started can be as simple as parking a little further away or taking a brisk walk around the block before heading into your house or office.

Source: AHA, heart.org

What She is Doing Now: because athletes with HCm are especially at risk for dangerous arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest during very vigorous physical activity, Kathleen was fitted with a combination pace maker and defibrillator. she still maintains a regular exercise routine, but she has cut back some on her running and monitors her heart rate to keep it within her safety zone.

What She Wants You to Know: you can’t live in fear. A chronic health problem means that you have to make a few adjustments, but it doesn’t have to restrict your life if you take care of yourself and work with your physicians to develop a plan.

BY: Yelena SapinPHotograPHY BY: Melissa DonaldMaKeUP BY: angel tivitt and allie Barnes of Wild Strawberry Studio

PUMP UP…

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Today’s WomanH-4 v Go red For Women v 2013

Two years ago, reba Katsampes, 59 experienced an episode of atrial fibrillation, a quivering or irregular heartbeat also known as AF or Afib that can lead to stroke and other heart complications. While being treated at the hospital, reba learned that sleep apnea is one of the risk factors for Afib and other heart diseases. it turns out that reba, who has sleep apnea, had recently lost some weight and decided to stop using the C-pap machine prescribed to treat the disorder. The cardiologist told reba that not using the machine most likely contributed to her developing Afib.

the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity. even mild sleep apnea, a

condition marked by repeatedly interrupted breathing during sleep, can wake you up at night and leave you feeling groggy during the day. being overweight is one of the risk factors for developing the disorder, and symptoms include heavy snoring, waking up gasping for air, and daytime sleepiness despite logging a solid night’s sleep. studies have shown that sleep apnea stresses the cardiovascular system and contributes to high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that treating sleep apnea can quickly reverse the damage.


What She is Doing Now: reba exercises, eats a heart-healthy diet, and hasn’t had a relapse. but most importantly, she faithfully uses her C-pap machine to keep her sleep apnea under control, even when napping or traveling.

What She Wants You to Know: you don’t have to be overweight to have sleep apnea. if you get enough hours of sleep at night but still feel really tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor and get yourself checked out.

What She is Doing Now: reba exercises, eats a heart-healthy diet, and hasn’t had a relapse. but most importantly, she faithfully uses her C-pap machine to keep her sleep apnea under control, even when napping or traveling.

What She Wants You to Know: you don’t have to be overweight to have sleep apnea. if you get enough hours of sleep at night but still feel really tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor and get yourself checked out.

PUMP UP…Your Sleep

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What She is Doing Now: doctors were able to repair the damage, and Krystal’s prognosis is great. she tries to eat a healthy diet and gets plenty of exercise chasing after her 4-year-old sons. As for adding to her family, doctors recommend that she not get pregnant again to prevent overtaxing her heart.

What She Wants You to Know: you know your body better than anyone. Always get a second opinion, or a third, when one doctor tells you you’re fine but you still feel like there’s something’s wrong.


When looking for a heart specialist, ask for a recommendation from your primary care provider, friends and family, or your

insurance company. Check the doctor’s credentials, experience with your type of problems, and hospital affiliations. bring a list of questions or concerns to your appointment, take notes or use a digital recorder, or have someone come with you as an extra set of ears. schedule a consultation appointment if you want to sit down and talk for longer than the typical visit. most importantly, don’t give up on getting the care you deserve — ask questions, change doctors, and get a second or third opinion if you’re not satisfied.

born with a heart defect that was successfully repaired, Krystal surratt, 27, never had any health problems and enjoyed an active lifestyle. After a closely monitored but routine pregnancy that resulted in healthy twin boys, Krystal started experiencing an erratic heartbeat and shortness of breath. doctors said her heart was fine, but over the course of several months her symptoms gradually worsened. When severe stomach pains — Krystal’s organs were starting to fail — and other problems finally landed her in the emergency room with congestive heart failure, she needed emergency open heart surgery to save her life.

PUMP UP…Your Doctor Visits

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Jodie smith’s symptoms first appeared in the year 2000 as a squeezing pain in her upper abdomen. Just 32 years old and in good shape, Jodie didn’t fit the typical mold of a heart disease patient. doctors thought the problem was her appendix, then her gall bladder, and one suggested she see a psychiatrist. several months later a massive heart attack revealed that Jodie’s heart was severely damaged. during her fourth heart attack in november of 2012, Jodie’s heart completely stopped. she was revived and received cutting-edge treatment that minimized damage to her brain and vital organs.

Signs that your heart isn’t working as it should include shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when lying down, persistent coughing or wheezing, lingering flu-like

symptoms, fatigue, swelling, and a racing heartbeat. When having a heart attack, women may experience a feeling of pressure, squeezing, and fullness of pain in their chest or upper abdomen that can last for a few minutes or come and go. other symptoms of a heart attack include nausea, dizziness, sweating, extreme fatigue, and pain or discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. if you think you may be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Source: AHA, heart.org and goredforwomen.org

What She is Doing Now: Jodie, now 45, has been eating right and exercising for years. she now has a defibrillator implanted, but her health remains unstable. Her biggest priority right now is spending as much time as possible with her loved ones, especially her young granddaughter.

What She Wants You to Know: Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and catching it early can save your life. be proactive: Know your body, learn about heart disease, find a doctor who will listen and not dismiss your symptoms, and ask for tests like eKGs and heart CT scans.

What She is Doing Now: Jodie, now 45, has been eating right and exercising for years. she now has a defibrillator implanted, but her health remains unstable. Her biggest priority right now is spending as much time as possible with her loved ones, especially her young granddaughter.

What She Wants You to Know: Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and catching it early can save your life. be proactive: Know your body, learn about heart disease, find a doctor who will listen and not dismiss your symptoms, and ask for tests like eKGs and heart CT scans.


PUMP UP…Your Knowledge of the Warning Signs

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several years ago, Gladys stieben, 48, started having flu-like symptoms she couldn’t shake for months. Thinking her persistent cough was a sign of pneumonia, she finally consulted a doctor. A chest X-ray showed an enlarged heart, and Gladys was hospitalized with severe congestive heart failure. Her symptoms eased up with treatment, but not enough, so she was implanted with a combination pace maker and defibrillator to maximize her heart function.

What She is Doing Now: Gladys watches what she eats and works on strengthening her heart muscle by exercising and staying active. And she doesn’t hesitate to call her doctor right away if she feels something coming on.

What She Wants You to Know: be aware, and pay attention to how you feel. if you start having flu-like symptoms that won’t go away, go to the doctor. Take the time to get checked out and find out what’s going on.


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Coronary heart disease — a set of problems related to plaque buildup in arterial walls — is just

one type of heart disease. other types include arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heart attack, and stroke. As we’ve learned from the stories of the different women profiled in these pages, heart disease has many faces. some conditions are highly sensitive to lifestyle choices, whether good or bad, while others seem to come on out of the blue in otherwise fit and healthy people. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, so take the time to find out more about it, learn the signs, and start doing what you can to stay healthy.

PUMP UP…Your awareness of Heart Disease


dawn nelson, 29, had been experiencing a rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath for a while before a flare-up of her lupus sent her to the hospital. While treating her, doctors discovered that dawn had pulmonary hypertension, a complication sometimes experienced by lupus sufferers where abnormally high pressure builds up in the arteries of the lungs and severely stresses the heart. dawn’s lungs and heart deteriorated rapidly until her condition became critical. in July of last year, dawn underwent a heart and double-lung transplant that saved her life.


What She is Doing Now: dawn feels blessed to have gotten a second chance at life and looks forward to the future. she takes good care of her new heart by exercising and eating healthy. dawn is also involved with several transplant organizations, helping both organ recipients and the families of donors.

What She Wants You to Know: you only get one body. it’s very difficult to find a new organ, so take care of the ones you have. be proactive with your health, and learn about potential complications from other conditions you may have and from any medications.

Stress releases hormones that increase your heart rate and cause a spike in blood pressure. over time, the effects of chronic

stress can damage artery walls and make you more susceptible to heart disease. Feelings of depression and anxiety are also harmful to your heart. Try deep breathing, positive self-talk, and other coping mechanisms when life gets hectic. Take time to do things that bring you pleasure, even if just for a few minutes at a time. remember to notice and appreciate the simple joys, establish a daily relaxation routine, and spend time with people who lift you up. if you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask your family, friends, and doctor for help.

PUMP UP…Your outlook

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Two days after leaving the hospital with her second baby, Amanda Grubb, 36, experienced swelling, pressure on her chest and difficulty breathing. she had always been healthy and figured it was just a weird postpartum thing, but her doctor and the emTs she called when symptoms worsened advised her to go to the emergency room. Hesitant to leave her young daughter and nursing infant son, Amanda tried waiting it out overnight. The next day she was hospitalized with dangerously high blood pressure and in critical condition. Tests revealed she was suffering from postpartum cardiomyopathy, a rare type of congestive heart failure that can occur during the last months of pregnancy or after giving birth.

What She is Doing Now: Although Amanda has fully recovered, she often checks her blood pressure at grocery store pharmacies. she and her family try to eat healthier and schedule exercise time together.

What She Wants You to Know: mothers always take care of everyone else first, but we need to take time to take care of ourselves, too. if something doesn’t feel right, especially when you’re pregnant or just had a baby, you need to go immediately to find out what’s wrong.

What She is Doing Now: Although Amanda has fully recovered, she often checks her blood pressure at grocery store pharmacies. she and her family try to eat healthier and schedule exercise time together.

What She Wants You to Know: mothers always take care of everyone else first, but we need to take time to take care of ourselves, too. if something doesn’t feel right, especially when you’re pregnant or just had a baby, you need to go immediately to find out what’s wrong.

H-16 v Go red For Women v 2013 Today’s Woman

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eating well fuels your body and gives it the basic building blocks to make new cells and fight disease. putting

the wrong things in — over-processed foods high in salt, sugar, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol — gums up the works and puts you at greater risk for heart disease. Here’s what a heart-healthy diet looks like: whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean proteins including two servings a week of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and minimal junk food. start tracking what you eat to see where you may be lacking, and stock your kitchen with healthy foods.


PUMP UP…the Way You eat


doubling the chance of saving someone from cardiac arrest

might not sound like an easy feat. but with a simpler form of resuscitation called Hands-only Cpr, the ability to provide life-sustaining help could just be at your fingertips.

Circle of red, a group of individuals dedicated to increasing heart health advocacy and awareness in women, has made teaching this method of Cpr its priority for 2013. As the pilot program kicks off this month, Circle of red members will visit area schools, churches, corporations, and other community organizations in an effort to instruct women and girls about this easy-to-learn technique. They hope to train 500 women in their first year alone.

“our overall goal is to educate women and girls in our community so that they can help increase the [survival] odds of people that drop over on the street, in the home, or in a public facility,” says Circle of red Chair, peggy Heuser.

According to the American Heart Association, close to 383,000 cardiac arrests happen outside hospital walls every year. in fact, 88 percent of these occur in the victims’ homes. less than eight percent of those who suffer from cardiac arrest outside of a medical facility survive.

but Heuser and Circle of red members plan to bring some much-needed hope to those grim statistics. Heuser says Hands-only Cpr, in which only compressions are given, has been shown to be as effective as standard Cpr during the first four to five minutes of cardiac arrest. likewise, performing this method has been shown to double or even triple the survival rates of those affected.

“Actually, there’s enough oxygen in the blood of an individual who has had a heart attack or cardiac arrest that all you have to do is compressions for the first four to five minutes before you need to start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” Heuser says. “And so that could be done as someone calls for help.”

Although the Circle of red training doesn’t give an actual Cpr certification, the information learned should prove invaluable when assisting someone in immediate need. Heuser says she thinks one of the most beneficial skills women will pick up from the training is the amount of pressure needed for compressions.

“people can actually see on a mannequin what success means in Cpr,” she says. “i don’t think anybody has a clue how hard you have to compress. That’s the biggest part, i think. being a nurse myself and having given Cpr, it’s a workout. but it’s so rewarding to think that compression for four to five minutes and then putting air into someone’s mouth beyond that time is totally life-saving.”

of course, the program wants to reach more

people than just the initial 2013 goal. Circle of red hopes women who have been instructed will share the importance of Cpr and the Hands-only method with friends and family. When more people are aware of the facts, more lives will be saved.

“We feel really strongly that women should tell other women about what they know,” Heuser says. “men tend to be quieter about their health and everything related to it. Women talk about their health. They go to the doctor more. They’re much more proactive.”

Women might tend to share their knowledge more often about health issues, but the American Heart Association reports that more than 70 percent of people are leery of performing Cpr. many fear they aren’t adequately trained or might do more harm than good. Heuser says she wants the program to alleviate these doubts.

“We don’t want people to fear it,” she says. “We want people to step up to the plate and do it. We’re very excited about it.”

by Amanda BeamDo You Know Hands-Only CPR?

To schedule a Circle of Red member to speak at a local organization, phone the Louisville Chapter of the American Heart Association at 502.587.8641.

Circle of Red members (l-r) Leigh Pittman, Lynn Von Hoene, and Sally Snavely learn hands-only CPR during a class held by the American Heart Association. The Circle of Red, ambassadors of the Go Red For Women movement, has made it their mission to teach 500 people in our community hands-only CPR during the month of February.


Front row (seated):

• Becky Beanblossom ~ Founder & president of Home instead senior Care

• dana allen ~ system Vice president of marketing, norton Healthcare

• debbie reiss ~ Co-owner ofCarlisle of louisville

• susan allen ~ Advertising director, Zion publications

middle row (standing):

• Cathy Zion ~ publisher, Zion publications

• debra gmelin ~ Corporate director, Humana inc.

• dr. deborah Ballard ~ president, Holiwell Health Consultation

• Kim evans ~ Founder & owner of the institute for integrative medicine

• sally snavely ~ Civic Volunteer

• lynn Carrie ~ Hospital Account manager, otsuka America pharmaceutical, inc.

• sara Haynes ~ owner of etcetera Casuals

• dr. Janet smith ~ Cardiologist, norton Healthcare

• Judie Parks ~ broker/owner, prudential parks & Weisberg realtors

BaCK row (standing):

• Peggy Heuser ~ Coo, Heuser Clinic

• leigh ann Barney ~ Chief stewardship officer, Trilogy Health services

• tierra Kavanaugh turner ~ Ceo, TKT & Associates, inc.

• Julie Juvera ~ director of legendary people and diversity initiatives, Texas roadhouse

• lynn Von Hoene ~ president, project Appraisals, inc.

• Brent Beanblossom ~ CFo, Home instead senior Care

• Carole Christian ~ partner, Wyatt, Tarrant, & Combs

• edith Flowers ~ UAW Union member, Ford motor Co.

• Kim tharp-Barrie ~ system Vice president institute for nursing and outreach, norton Healthcare

• Connie steller ~ executive Territory manager, Abbott Vascular

not PiCtured: • lawrence Caruso ~ sr. executive

Human resources, Ge Home & business solutions

• michele Coan ~ General manager, operations, AiG U.s. Warranty division

• tim gornet ~ manager, rapid prototyping Center, University of louisville

• tricia Hafele ~ Civic Volunteer• natalie ingram ~ executive recruiter,

daversa partners • Charlotte ipsan ~ president, norton

Women’s Hospital and Kosair Children’s Hospital - st. matthews, norton Healthcare

• Jill ackerman Jones ~ senior Vice president and Chief production officer, brown-Forman Corporation

• Caroline Keller ~ Associate licensing manager, brown-Forman brands

• deb moessner ~ president & Gm, Kentucky Anthem blue Cross and blue shield

• leigh Pittman ~ Vp, director program management Center of excellence, brown-Forman Corporation

• shelley neal shaughnessy ~ Vice president, Ambulatory services, Kentuckyone Health

• mary ellen stottmann ~ Civic Volunteer• Pattie dale tye ~ market president at

Humana inc.• robert wray ~ deputy Commander,

Us Army Accessions support brigade, Fort Knox, Ky

• mary Zappone ~ Ceo, recoverCare llC

the Circle of red and red tie society represents a group of women and men who have the passion, motivation and inspiration to influence change in their community and across the country regarding women’s heart health. Circle of red women and red tie men help support the mission of go red For women by making a personal financial commitment to the movement, while serving as ambassadors for the american Heart association. For more information, contact Jane merman at 502.371.6014 or email [email protected].

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Circle of

Red/Red Tie Society

mailto:jane.merman%40heart.org?subject=From%20a%20Today%27s%20Woman%20Reader

Circle of

Red/Red Tie Society


Go Red For Women

(l-r): leigh ann Barney, Chief stewardship officer, Trilogy Health services; tierra Kavanaugh turner, Ceo of TKT & Associates, inc.; Becky Beanblossom, Founder & president of Home instead senior Care; dana allen, system Vice president, marketing, with norton Healthcare

(l-r): sheri ash, Community relations with belmont Village senior living; Julie Juvera, director of legendary people and diversity initiatives with Texas roadhouse; Peggy Heuser, Coo Heuser Clinic; Connie steller, executive Territory manager with Abbott Vascular

(l-r): Jill Joseph Bell, Vp & Chief Communications officer with passport Health plan; rené Kendrick, pharmacy sales manager with Kroger pharmacy; Harriet lair, Vice president, Fifth Third bank; Jane merman, Go red For Women director, American Heart Association; Cathy Zion, publisher, Zion publications

(l-r): ellen Cavanaugh, rhythm management nurse, louisville Cardiology, baptist medical Associates; nina seigle, Human resources Consultant with nps Hrsolutions; Jennifer Hunt, business system Analyst with baptist Health; stefanie schlader, Vice president, the private Client reserve for U.s. bank; Kathy renbarger, executive director with American Heart Association

leigh Pittman, Vp, director program management Center of excellence, brown-Forman Corporation

The Go Red For Women Leadership Committee donates their time, talent, and treasure to improve heart health in our community. Volunteers work to increase awareness and education, raise funds to support the mission, and plan the Go Red

For Women Luncheon in May. To get involved, contact Jane Merman at 502.371-6014 or email [email protected].

not PiCtured:

Kelley Bright ~ Assistant director of business development, ernst & young

tammy York day ~ Vice president of operations, delta dental of Kentucky

shari House ~ Vice president, bb&T insurance services, inc.

angela weathers ~ Quality Control manager, Ford — louisville Assembly plant

mary Zappone ~ Ceo of recoverCare llC

mailto:[email protected]

todayswomannow.com / facebook.com/todayswomanmagazine / @todayswomannow 2013 v Go red For Women v H-23

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TW February 2013 Heart Health Supplement