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Heart Health
Heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States
Heart disease is not the same for everyone. Often thought of as a man's disease, in reality, more women die of heart disease every year in the United States, nearly 460,000 in 2004. In fact, nearly twice as many women die from heart disease than all cancer types combined. Heart disease also seems to impact African American women even more severely.
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There is hope. Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that more than 80% of heart disease is preventable.
To learn more about your role in preventing heart disease click here.
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About...
What you need to know to close the gender gap in the diagnosis and management of heart disease
Your symptoms may be different.
You may be less likely to experience the classic symptoms of a heart attack (like chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in arms) and more likely to experience symptoms that may be vague or atypical. Research shows that the lack of recognition and under-diagnosis of heart disease contributes to the high death rates for women. It is critical that you recognize these symptoms early and seek medical attention, as early recognition can help save your life.
There are physical differences too
While this may seem apparent to you, scientists have discovered that hormonal and anatomical differences. One important finding is that you have a different heart rhythm than a man.
Gender specific testing
Though often under-recognized and under-diagnosed, you can be accurately diagnosed and assessed for risk with modern cardiac imaging techniques. These prognostic technologies include procedures such as electrocardiographs or ultrasound, while some of the advanced diagnostic tools include nuclear imaging and Electronic Beam Tomography or (EBT).
For more information on the tools and tests in the battle against heart disease, click here.
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How It Works
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Following are other imaging tests commonly performed in the assessment of heart disease.
| Test |
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What it is |
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What it means |
| EKG
or ECG (Electrocardiographs) |
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Electrocardiographs, commonly known as ECGs or EKGs,
are graphic recordings of the heart's electrical
impulses
Heart rhythm differences have led GE
Healthcare to develop gender-specific algorithms for
ECGs. |
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ECGs are used to assess heart rate and rhythm.
Physicians are often interested in assessing the heart
at rest (Resting ECG) as well as under stress (Stress
Testing - see below). |
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| Stress
Test |
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A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or
exercise test, measures how well a patient's heart
handles physical work. |
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The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in
the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It also
helps doctors identify the type and level of exercise
appropriate for a patient. |
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| Holter Test |
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A Holter monitor is a portable ECG recorder that you wear during your normal daily activities, including sleeping and can be worn up to 24 hours. |
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Some people have heart rhythm problems that only occur during certain activities, such as sleep or physical exertion. Using a Holter monitor increases the chance of recording these problems. |
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| Cardiovascular
Ultrasound - Echocardiography |
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An echocardiogram is ultrasound imaging of the
heart. It uses high-frequency sound waves to see all
four chambers of the heart, the heart valves and the sac
around the heart |
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This technology helps physicians to potentially
quickly diagnose the presence and severity of heart
valve problems, as well as determine abnormal flow
within the heart |
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| Nuclear
Imaging |
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These studies use less-invasive techniques to assess
myocardial blood flow, evaluate the pumping function of
the heart and visualize the size and location of a heart
attack. |
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Images of the heart muscle and wall are taken while
the patient is exercising, to assess the blood flow to
and within the heart. |
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| Cardiovascular
Computed Tomography (CV/CT) |
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Computed Tomography(CT) allows physicians to see the structure or "form" of the heart and view wafer-thin cross-sections of internal anatomy such as major arteries as well as tiny vessels and structures. |
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Advanced CT technology helps physicians to less-invasively assess cardiac risks by showing the amount of calcified plaque within an artery. |
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| PET/CT |
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An innovative combination of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and CT
is available so that physicians can see both form and function of the heart
in one simple examination. |
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This technique helps physicians to quantify and analyze the impact of the atherosclerotic lesions on the heart muscle. |
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| Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) |
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnets and
radio waves to create computerized images of the heart
without using X-rays. |
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Through MR exams, physicians can view heart valves,
blood flow, blockages and determine which structure, if
any, is not functioning or damaged. |
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| Cardiovascular
X-ray - Cardiac Catherization |
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Cardiac catherization is a procedure where the
cardiologist inserts a small plastic tube called a
catheter into a large vein or artery in the leg and
guides it into the heart or coronary arteries. |
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This technique is used when performing procedures to
view or/and treat potential coronary artery
blockages. |
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| Electrophysiology |
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Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of the
heart's electrical system. "EP study" or
"Electrophysiology study" applies to any procedure that
requires the insertion of an electrode catheter into the
heart. |
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Electrophysiology studies are done to diagnose
abnormalities or access the heart for
treatment/correction of certain conditions, including a
pacemaker implant. |
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More Questions?
What can I expect during an Electrocardiogram (ECG)?
For a resting ECG, a technician first attaches 12 quarter-sized patches called electrodes to the skin of your chest, arms and legs. You will then lie flat and still an a table for a few minutes while the electrodes detect the electrical signals of the heart and the signals are recorded either on graph paper or displayed on a screen. The exam is painless and harmless and takes abut 10 minutes.
For more information visit the National Heart and Lung Blood Institute
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What can I expect during a Stress Test?
Because some heart problems come and go or may only be present during exercise, during stress testing, you exercise or are given medicine if unable to exercise to make your heart work harder and beat faster while tests are performed.
Like a resting ECG, soft patches or electrodes are applied to your skin. Your blood pressure and ECG readings will be taken before, during and after exercise. You will begin to exercise by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary cycle. The degree of difficulty will gradually increase and you will be asked to exercise very hard until you are exhausted. It is important for you to communicate with the medical staff regarding your symptoms. After the test you will walk or pedal slowly for a couple of minutes to cool down. Your heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will continue to be monitored until the levels are returning to normal. Although the appointment lasts about 60 minutes, the actual exercise time is usually between 7 and 12 minutes.
For more information about stress tests, contact your doctor or visit National Heart and Lung Blood Institute.
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What can I expect during a Holter Monitor test?
Like a resting ECG, electrodes are placed on your skin, but in this case, the wires are attached to a small portable box that you will wear on a belt or shoulder strap for a day. Your heart is continuously recorded and your doctors will ask you to keep a diary of your activities and your symptoms. Once the Holter monitor test is complete, you will return the device to your doctor. The recordings are then analyzed and a full report prepared for your doctor.
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What can I expect during an echocardiogram?
To get started, you will be given a gown and asked to remove your clothing from the waist up. During the exam, you will lie on an exam table either on your back or on your left side. Often times, the lights in the room are dimmed so the computer screen is easier for the clinician to see.
A clinician or sonographer (a person specially trained to do ultrasounds) will apply a gel to your chest and then move a small device called a transducer to various areas on your chest. The transducer transmits ultrasound waves into your chest and echoes from the sound waves will be converted into pictures of your heart on a computer screen. During this exam you will also have electrodes applied to allow for a resting ECG to be performed. For some tests, the doctor will need to inject saline or a special dye into your vein that makes your heart show up more clearly on the test images. This exam is painless and typically takes less than an hour.
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What can I expect during a nuclear exam?
Before the test begins, the doctor or a technician will use a needle to insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm. Through this IV line, he or she will put the radioactive tracers into your bloodstream at the right time. You will be asked to lie very still on a padded table.
The nuclear heart scan camera, called a gamma camera, detects the radioactivity from the tracer and can be put in several positions around your body as you lie on the padded table. The exam will take 15-30 minutes. If you have a nuclear exam in conjunction with a stress test, you may have 2 sets of pictures, 1 immediately after exercise and another set taken after rest.
For more information, visit the National Heart and Lung Blood Institute.
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What can I do to take a proactive role about my heart health?
The following video from iVillage outlines 5 tips to help you avoid the number 1 killer of women in the US.
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Where can I learn more about the unique differences of heart disease for women?
The following video from GE Healthcare's Patient Channel "Heart Disease: Women at Risk" identifies some risks and symptoms of heart disease that are unique to women. This program explores the role hormone replacement therapy plays in heart disease and discusses ways to treat and manage cardiovascular illness.
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Where can I get more information about heart disease?
Many patient advocacy groups and internet resources exist including:
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Where can I find videos on heart disease?
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Looking for a healthcare facility in your area with GE Healthcare's innovative heart health technologies?
Click here to find local facilities that use GE Healthcare products.
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