How's Your Heart Health??
On July 19 at 8 AM I had my first
Echocardiogram. It took about an Hour and was non invasive. The question is why did it take until I was 75 to have one??
I was always diligent about my yearly mammograms, my every 5 year colonoscopy,
my every 2 year stress test so why did it take until 2022 for me to see a cardiologist who ordered the test??
I can tell you why; Gender Bias in Health Care
Since I didn't have any symptoms (which are different for women then they are for men)
It was decided not to have my heart tested.
The worst part of this story is the Doctor who decided I was just fine is a woman!
That's right a woman decided this 75 year old, overweight, mildly Insulin Resistant Woman didn't need a heart exam.
She even told me I would know if something was wrong with my heart if I was too tired to do my usual workout! UGH!
But there are many ways to get something done if you advocate actively for your health. I spoke with my Endocrinologist and she said of course you should have your heart evaluated.
I was the only woman waiting for the test and this is UCLA Medical in Thousand Oaks, CA. I know this is anecdotal but where were all the other women? I know, their Docs didn't think the test was needed for them!
It reminded me of the early days when I was the only woman in the business section of the airplane!
The stats on women & heart disease are stark;
Heart Disease is the NUMBER 1 Killer of women in the US. It kills nearly 400,000 of us a year! NOT CANCER/HEART DISEASE!
Women are 50% more likely to be given a wrong diagnosis after a heart attack and to make it worse, we do not have the same symptoms as men.
So please get checked out and take a stress test or Echocardiogram. Visit a Cardiologist and let them help you assess your risk.
By the way, My heart is just fine, How's yours??
Susan
