Matters of the heart

By Tracy Wainwright
Despite the fact that more women die from heart attacks than men, heart disease and heart attacks are still prevalently thought of things that affect mostly men. Although there is a lot of good information available about heart disease, much of it is geared to the general population and often towards men. Recently more people in and out of the medical field are recognizing that heart disease affects women at least as much as it does men. The higher death rate, however, is thought to be a result of a lack of information about the different ways heart disease and heart attacks manifest in women. One organization works diligently to inform, educate, and advocate for women’s heart disease. Cindy Steger, a 15-year Williamsburg resident, became a spokesperson for WomenHeart in 2007, almost three years after having a heart attack at age forty-four.
Cindy was not a typical candidate for heart disease. She was health-conscious, athletic and stayed on top of her cholesterol numbers. There was a family history – her oldest brother had died at 29 of a heart attack and her father had survived his first heart attack at 62 – but Cindy made healthy choices and had no thoughts of a heart attack occurring, especially while she was still young.
It did happen, however, and took Cindy completely by surprise. Afterward, she had a difficult time adjusting to it. There was a hesitation to talk about it, to acknowledge it, and to let people know that she’d had one. After about two years that began to change. A friend introduced Cindy to WomenHeart and she decided to go through the application process to become a spokesperson for the organization. Any one can be a member, but to be a spokesperson one must have personal experience with heart disease. Cindy went through the extensive application process which included medical records, a recommendation from her cardiologist, writing essays, and giving references.
Cindy was accepted and fulfilled the twenty-five hours of community service WomenHeart asks its spokespeople to perform. Once she jumped over the hurdle of talking about her personal experience with having a heart attack Cindy felt comfortable continuing her outreach involvement beyond her initial commitment through WomenHeart. Cindy has spoken to groups such as the Kiwanas and Lions Club, to nurses, fitness center patrons, the Junior Women’s Club, NASA Langley, and various groups at Sentara. She has also given interviews for magazines such as Reader’s Digest, Fitness Magazine and Hampton Roads Health Journal. She will talk to anyone who expresses an interest in learning more about heart disease and it’s prevention.
When Cindy talks she focuses on much of the traditional information about heart disease – obtaining information and living a healthy lifestyle. She also spot lights information specific to women and those with a family history of heart disease. Although Cindy had been aware of her cholesterol numbers, she wasn’t aware that with individuals with a strong family history need to have even lower numbers (under 180, instead of under 200.) She also didn’t know that family history plays a larger role in women’s risk than it does for men. She strongly encourages people to know what their numbers are, to track changes, and to be their own health advocate. She wants to make sure that people know that thin doesn’t always mean healthy, activity level is more important than size. There is plenty of information available and it is generally presented in a format that is easily understood. People only have to be willing to access the information and act on it, even if they don’t see themselves as particularly at risk. As Cindy says, “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”—WLY&ME

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