Leading the Fight Against Heart Disease & Stroke
SUPPLEMENT TO
MAKING a difference Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
Dear Reader, As the Go Red For Women campaign enters its 10th year, the evidence is clear that the movement has made a tremendous difference in the health of women across the country. In fact, statistics show that since Go Red started: -21 percent fewer women are dying of heart disease each year. -23 percent more women are aware that heart disease is the number one killer of women. -89 percent of Go Red women made at least one healthy behavior change. Here in Greater Cincinnati, we are seeing equally positive results. Without question, The Christ Hospital Health Network and the American Heart Association are making huge strides in our community’s cardiovascular health. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics from 2000 to 2009 show that the coronary heart disease age-adjusted
death rate has declined from 171.0 to 100.2 deaths per 100,000 women in the Greater Cincinnati area. Based on this data, approximately 500 fewer women died from heart disease in 2009. As the local presenting sponsor of Go Red For Women, The Christ Hospital Health Network has led the charge for women’s heart health in Greater Cincinnati. Through initiatives such as the Heart Healthy Restaurant Program, the Girl Scout Go Red Patch Program, the Heart Healthy Tailgate competition at high school football games, Have Faith in Heart in area churches, our community wellness initiative Get Healthy Cincinnati and the Go Red For Women Luncheon, we are empowering women all over the Tri-State to keep their hearts healthy. Although these programs have helped lower the death rate from heart disease in our women, we still have a long way to go. It is The Christ Hospital Health Network’s
Dr. Ian J. Sarembock, Medical Director Heart and Vascular Service, The Christ Hospital Health Network
goal to increase awareness and education about ways to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. To learn more about reducing the risks got to TheChristHospital.com/heart.
MEET OUR CHAIRS The American Heart Association is honored to have Kimberly A. Halbauer of Fifth Third Bank and Jill P. Meyer of Frost Brown Todd LLC serve as co-chairs of the 2013 Go Red For Women Luncheon. Their leadership and contributions to the event will go a long way in the fight against our number one killers – heart disease and stroke. Join us at the Go Red For Women Luncheon on Thursday, May 9 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Kimberly A. Halbauer, left, and Jill P. Meyer
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Cincinnati Club Building 30 Garfield Place, Suite 440 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Tel: (513) 421-2533 www.cincymagazine.com American Heart Association 5211 Madison Road Cincinnati, OH 45227 Tel: (513) 842-8877 Fax: (513) 281-1433 www.heart.org/Cincinnati
Q&A On Heart Disease And Stroke Local Events Circle Of Red Society Go Red For Women Leaders Survivor Profile Decade Of Red
Pictured on cover: First Row: Rita Chin, Shirley Yoshida, Amy Connolly Held, Rose Inderhees Second Row: Monica Hunter MD, Erin Ascher, Lee Ann Liska, Donna S. Sterwerf, Cynthia Henderson Third Row: Katy Barclay, Susan Croushore, Terry Segerberg, Athena Avgousti, JoAnne Noyes, Kathy Haines, Petra Vester, Cathy Lindemann, Kathy Mitts Not pictured: Karen Bowman, Judy Fimiani
Cover Photography by Ross Van Pelt
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Q&A
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
Q: W hat is the number one thing you can do to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke? There are multiple risk factors that put you at r isk for hea r t disease and stroke. Jaime L. Ginney, If you are smoking, MPH, PA-C STOP! If you have Christ Hospital high cholesterol, Physicians–Ohio diabetes, or high Heart & Vascular blood pressure, get it treated and under good control early, and keep it at goal. If you are overweight and live a sedentary lifestyle, then get moving and eat heart healthy. Every day you should make the choice to take care of yourself because no one else is going to do it for you. Q: Are symptoms of heart disease different
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for men and women? Yes, men tend to have more of the classic symptoms of chest pressure, sometimes radiating to their arms or jaw. Women may also demonstrate these symptoms, but often they have more non-specific symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, or nausea that are not as obvious. I try to educate my female patients to listen to their bodies for any changes and not to make excuses for a decline in their exercise capacity, such as “I am getting older, I am out of shape, I am menopausal, or I am stressed and overworked.” Get yourself checked out when anything new concerns you. That goes for the male gender also. Too many times we see men assuming they just have gastric reflux or a pulled muscle and they let symptoms go on for too long. You should never be embarrassed or feel like you are bothering medical personnel when you are not sure if the symptoms are cardiac related. Your job
is to get it checked out; the rest is our job. Q: What are the warning signs of a stroke? Symptoms include acute onset of weakness or numbness of one of your extremities, drooping of one side of your face, slurred speech or difficulty making out words, visual changes/difficulty, confusion or difficulty understanding, difficulty walking or loss of balance, or severe headache with no other cause. These symptoms should never be ignored and need immediate evaluation, so call 911. Time is of the essence when saving brain cells and avoiding permanent damage. Q: What should I do if I’m with someone who is experiencing heart problems? Anyone showing signs of chest pain, or severe shortness of breath, should be taken directly to the emergency room to rule out a heart attack. Call 911. There are some patients that live with chronic chest pain and know how to manage their symptoms with nitroglycerin and other medications,
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
but acute symptoms that are new for any patient should not be ignored. Every minute counts when you are dealing with saving heart muscle tissue. Q: Do African Americans have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease? The risk factors for all races are the same for coronary artery disease (CAD), but African Americans are more likely to develop one or more of the risk factors for CAD in their lifetime. They also have a higher death rate from CAD and stroke, and a higher incidence of congestive heart failure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults of all races in the United States. Q: How often should I have my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar checked? If you have never had these checked, then do it. Prevention is key to avoiding heart disease later, and sometime there are no symptoms attributed with these risks. Knowing your risk factors can help you be
your own heart health advocate. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to suffer a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association recommends checking cholesterol once every five years if older than 20, and more often if your total cholesterol is over 200mg/dL, if your HDL (good cholesterol) is less than 40mg/ DL, if you are a male over 45 or a female over 50, or if you have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Ideally, your blood pressure (if it’s normal) should be checked yearly, but at least every five years. But, if you have had a borderline high reading, your physician will monitor it more closely. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer,” because you can go years with no knowledge that it is elevated and vital organs are being damaged. The American Diabetes Association recommends you get your blood glucose checked
every three years if it remains normal, or as your physician directs depending on other risk factors. Patients that have borderline high levels will be watched closer and more often. Watching your diet closely to avoid abdominal obesity between these screenings is the best prevention. All three of these risk factors need to be treated as early as possible to decrease your chance of developing coronary artery disease and stroke later in life, so getting screened early and continuously is wise. Q: I get a check-up from my primary care physician every year. Is that sufficient to detect heart problems? Yes. Be open with your primary care physician about your family history, and all your symptoms even if you believe them to be minor issues. This will help your physician know what appropriate screening tests you may need and when it is appropriate to refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation.
A woman’s heart is worth protecting. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we never stop thinking about cardiovascular care. In fact, our top-notch care with advanced technology has led to a success rate of cardiovascular care that consistently ranks among the nation’s best. And now, as a part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, the physicians and specialists at St. Elizabeth also have access to the knowledge and expertise of Mayo Clinic. It’s physicians, specialists, and sub-specialists working together to make sure our patients get the best care available—anywhere.
To find out more, visit www.stelizabeth.com/cardiaccare
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Local EVENTS
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
10TH ANNUAL NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY!
CINCY CHIC’S LADY IN RED
Friday, Feb. 1 Join the thousands of companies, churches, and schools nationwide by wearing red in support of Go Red For Women. For downloadable information, visit www.GoRedForWomen/ WearRedDay
RED DRESS PHYSICIAN UNVEILED!
Dr. John Schneider, the 2012 Red Dress physician
Friday, Feb. 1, noon The Christ Hospital (cafeteria) 2139 Auburn Ave., Mount Auburn Who will it be? One of The Christ Hospital’s male physicians will S:7.5” wear a red dress to promote education and heart disease prevention.
Friday, Feb. 8 Macy’s Fountain Square Celebrate Go Red in style at a fun evening with your friends. Swag bags, light bites from Crave and a runway fashion show presented by Macy’s. Details at cincychic.com.
CINCINNATI HEART BALL, A SONG IN OUR HEARTS
Saturday, Feb. 23 Duke Energy Convention Center 525 Elm Street, Downtown 20th annual black-tie gala presented by TriHealth Heart Institute with auction, dinner, dancing and Heart of the City Award presentation honoring Lee and Shannon Carter. Details at www. heart.org/cincinnatiohheartball.
No caps on Citi ThankYou Points. No end to the possibilities. ®
To apply, visit thankyoucard.citi.com
© 2011 Citigroup Inc. Citi, Citi with Arc Design and Citi ThankYou are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc.
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HEART MINI, PRESENTED BY MERCY HEALTH
Saturday, March 16 Duke Energy Convention Center 525 Elm Street, Downtown Health & Fitness Expo Sunday, March 17 Fountain Square, Downtown Heart half marathon, 15K Mini-Marathon, 5K Heart Run, 2K Kids’Mini Mara-Fun Run, 5K and 10K Heart Walks, and 1K Steps for Stroke. Register at www.heartmini.org
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www.powernetglobal.com PAINT THE SQUARE RED!
April 18, Noon Fountain Square Women all over the Tri-State are invited to come to the Square for a firstever Go Red Pep Rally! First-ever Go Red Pep Rally sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Frost Brown Todd. Wear red to raise awareness.
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Local EVENTS
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
CINCINNATI GOES RED ALL YEAR ROUND ELDER/ST. XAVIER HEART HEALTHY TAILGATE
The two schools were challenged to create heart healthy tailgate meals that met American Heart Association nutritional guidelines. Elder won and received a $500 scholarship from The Christ Hospital Health Network.
GO RED GIRL SCOUT PATCH PROGRAM THE EIGHTH ANNUAL GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON Thursday, May 9 Duke Energy Convention Center 525 Elm Street, Downtown
Exhibits, free heart health screenings, and educational sessions, followed by lunch, program and UC DAAP student’s red dress fashion show. Visit www.heart.org/cincinnatiohgoredluncheon.
Created to educate young girls about their hearts and how to keep them healthy, The Christ Hospital Health Network has an online program that helps troop leaders coordinate a number of heart healthy activities. Visit: TheChristHospital.com/goredpatch
HAVE FAITH IN HEART
Participating churches are invited to educational programs and workshops to teach the importance of heart healthy living. Churches hold Red Dress Sundays to bring the healthy message to their congregations.
An experienced heart care team, quality outcomes and advanced treatment technologies are what you expect from a hospital like Atrium Medical Center – the only accredited Chest Pain Center in Butler and Warren counties. Whether you need open-heart surgery, outpatient cardiac services or minimally invasive treatments, such as balloon angioplasty or electrophysiology studies, we have the skill you need, close to home. Whatever form of heart disease you or a loved one may face, our caring professionals are committed to providing expert treatment, advanced technology and practical tools to help you live and feel your best. To find an Atrium heart specialist, call toll free 1-866-608-FIND (3463) or visit us online at AtriumMedCenter.org/heart to take an online heart assessment, see a virtual tour or sign up for a free heart guide.
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Circle of Red SHARES A CAUSE
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
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lthough they have different backgrounds and different careers, the women in the elite Circle of Red Society share a commitment to building awareness about heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women. “It’s all about increasing awareness and educating women,” says Erin Ascher, University of Cincinnati chief human resources officer and chairwoman of Circle of Red. “So few women know the symptoms of heart disease and what the risks are for women.” Nearly 32,000 women in Ohio die each year from heart disease and stroke, and less than 60 percent of women actually recognize heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women, according to the American
Athena Avgousti
Heart Association. “One in 30 women die of breast cancer, but heart disease claims one in every three women,” says Ascher who served as 2012 Go Red For Women chairwoman. The Circle of Red Society is a group committing their time and resources to increasing awareness about heart disease. Each member is asked to make a minimum personal donation of $2,500 annually to support the Go Red For Women movement and educate others. Athena Avgousti, vice president of the internal audit group at Macy’s Inc., joined the Circle of Red Society shortly after relocating here from the Detroit area in 2010. Originally, she saw Circle of Red as a good way to meet other women but quickly became impressed with the spirit of giving here. “I’ve found Cincinnati is a very generous community when you approach people,” she says. “We have had the opportunity to listen to survivor and health expert presentations. Some other events in the future will hopefully include a CPR training along with some volunteer opportunities to help spread the red in the community.”
Since the local Circle of Red started a couple years ago, its number has grown from just a couple to 20 members and Ascher said she’d like to double that number. Ascher, who says there’s a history of heart disease in her family, says she was drawn to the Circle of Red after hearing other women’s struggle with disease at the Go Red For Women luncheon. “The interesting part is that their stories are just like everyone else’s,” she says. “They’re wives, mothers sisters all running around and trying to balance their own lives…. sometimes we forget about ourselves.” Circle of Red members also benefit by joining the Society. Each member receives a VIP invitation for two to sit at a specially designated table at the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon and special recognition at the luncheon, including: verbal mention from the podium, listing in the event program and an invitation to attend two or three Go Red For Women Circle of Red VIP events. As the Cincinnati Goes Red sponsor, The Christ Hospital Health Network provides the opportunity for members to enjoy an extensive tour of its Heart & Vascular Center. The tour will include opportunities for each member to learn heart health tips and receive free screenings. Avgousti, who was able to watch a stent being inserted in a patient during her tour, said the entire process was eye-opening. “The testing we had done was incredibly detailed,” she says. Although she came out of the testing with no serious problems, she said she was inspired to become more physically active and plans to run in this year’s Heart Mini Marathon. To find out how to become a Circle of Red member, contact Amy Lang, Go Red For Women director, at 513-842-8877 or amy. lang@heart.org.
Erin Ascher
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make it YOUR MISSION TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE AND STROKE Cheryl Rose PNC
Athena Avgousti Macy’s
Delores Hargrove Young XLC Services LLC
Kathy Selker Northlich
Crystal Gibson Citi Jodi Schmidtgoesling POSSIBLE
Erin Ascher University of Cincinnati
Laura Humphrey Bartlett & Co.
Nelia Manhema Medlab
Katy Barclay Kroger Lisa Reinhard Chemed Corporation
Chris Thomson The Christ Hospital Health Network Heart and Vascular Service Line
Tillie Hidalgo Lima Best Upon Request
Now entering its tenth year, the Go Red For Women movement empowers women to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives. Make the choice to love your heart and join these local advocates who are making a difference in Greater Cincinnati. G R 1 0
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Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
Maribeth Rahe Fort Washington Investment Advisors Kathy Brown The Christ Hospital Health Network
Lee Stautberg Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Denice Hertlein Clark Schaefer Hackett
Kristi Nelson Pomeroy
Judith Phillips Stand Energy
Jill P. Meyer (co-chair) Frost Brown Todd LLC
Lea Ann Stevenson Fifth Third Bank
Kathy Mitts Decosimo & Company, CPA’s
Terry Segerberg Mesa Industries
Kimberly A. Halbauer (co-chair) Fifth Third Bank
Thanks to Macy’s and Tiffany & Co. for providing a selection of the dresses and jewelry for this photo shoot. Thanks also to Nora Fink for providing makeup and styling. Photography by Ross Van Pelt.
Cynthia Henderson Quadrant Partners
NOT PICTURED: Helayne Angelus – Kalypso Deborah Hayes – The Christ Hospital Health Network
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survivor PROFILE Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
By Cindy Kranz
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n July14, 2009, the stars aligned in all the right places for Lyndi Jones. Then 28, the wife and mother of two sons had gathered with fellow teachers at Nada restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. The plan was to enjoy a meal and then see the musical, “Mamma Mia!” at the Aronoff Center. The night had just begun when the Lebanon woman took a sip of her drink and suddenly didn’t feel well. That’s the last thing she remembered before she passed out, had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. “I kind of ruined everybody’s plans,” Jones said. Waitresses called out frantically for a doctor. Fortunately for Jones Dr. Mark Jonas happened to be there dining and performed CPR. Emergency responders took Jones to The Christ Hospital where she had just delivered her youngest child. Doctors there discovered her heart was beating 200-300 times per minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges between 60-100 beats per minute. After running an electrocardiogram, Dr. Ted Waller, a heart rhythm expert, suspected a condition known as Brugada Syndrome. This arrhythmia is a genetic disease often found in males and causes abnormal heart beats that frequently result in sudden death in seemingly healthy individuals. To prevent another life-threatening episode, Dr. Waller placed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in her chest. This device uses electrical pulses or shocks to help control lifethreatening arrhythmias, especially ones that can cause sudden cardiac arrest. The ICD keeps Jones’s heart pumping and restores normal rhythm. Dr. Waller’s diagnosis of Brugada was confirmed by genetic testing. “Brugada is often classified as a ‘one and done,’’’ Jones said. “A lot of people don’t get that second chance, but I did.” Now 32, Jones hasn’t had any serious repeat episodes. “God was on my side that night,” said Jones, who teaches first and second grades at Bowman Primary School in Lebanon. “It’s so miraculous that I was in the right place at the right time. It could have been a whole different outcome had it been just a few hours earlier.” Looking back, Jones remembered how she passed out two weeks after her youngest son was born in March 2009. The incident was chalked up to hormones and stress. Now, she sees that episode through a different lens – as a precursor of what was to come. Her advice to other women is to pay attention to warning signs. “You know your body. You know when things are different and when things don’t seem normal to you. Just like with me passing out. That wasn’t normal for me. I had never passed out in my life,” Jones said. “As women, it’s so easy for us to say, ‘Shake it off. Life goes on. I have too much to do. Oh, it’s no big deal.’ My advice is, don’t just shrug it off, because you never know when something might change.”
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DECADE of red
Nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck. Locally sponsored by The Christ Hospital Health Network
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heartfelt thank you to our Decade of Red Sponsors, The Christ Hospital Health Network, Chemed Corp. and Fifth Third Bank. These three organizations have made a commitment to support the Go Red for Women movement at the $10,000 level or above for two years or more. As we move into the 10th year of Go Red For Women, our Decade of Red sponsors are truly making an impact in our community by accelerating the American Heart Association’s mission to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while also reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. To learn how your organization can join this dynamic group, contact Amy Lang at amy.lang@heart.org or call 513-842-8877. Lisa Reinhard, Chemed Corp.; Chris Thomson, The Christ Hospital Health Network, and Kimberly Halbauer, Fifth Third Bank
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SET YOUR HEART ON A
HEALTHY FUTURE.
Top doctors. Award-winning care. This is who we are at The Mercy Health Heart Institute. Whether you need preventive, emergency or long-term heart care, our team of cardiac specialists has the expertise and experience you deserve. There’s a reason we’re leaders in Cincinnati for cardiac care: Your Heart is our Mission. Be Well. Set your heart on a healthy future. Visit YourHeartOurMission.com or call 513-445-8300 to schedule an appointment with a cardiac specialist near you.
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