Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital are teaming up for a special event to raise awareness to heart disease among women. “Heart and Heels” is an opportunity for women in the community to come interact with cardiologists and primary care physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann Pearland and Memorial Hermann Southeast who will be on hand to answer questions and share important tips about heart health.
According to the American Heart Association, only about 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer, and only 13 percent believe heart disease is their greatest personal health risk. Here’s the good news: 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action.
“That’s why events like Heart and Heels are so important. Providing women with the knowledge and awareness of the disease is the first step towards prevention,” said Dr. Manu Pillai, interventional cardiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. “Knowing the symptoms and what to look for, and then going to see your physician before something serious happens, is probably the most important thing women can do.”
Dr. Pillai also offers these tips to improving heart health:
“It’s important to have routine visits with your primary care physician to closely monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar to rule out diabetes,” said Dr. Pillai. “If any of those three things are abnormal you should treat those things first.”