Heart disease is often thought of as a man’s disease, when in fact, almost as many women died of heart disease as men. According to Dr. Catherine Marti, a cardiologist and heart failure expert at Piedmont Athens Regional, it’s the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
"One in three women will have heart disease, which means it's going to touch all of us or someone we care deeply about."
Piedmont Heart is now offering a new screening program to help improve early detection of the ailment and possible stop heart disease before it does too much damage.
"We are offering screening at two of our locations--the Athens location and Oconee County location. Patients can come and get screened in terms of their major risk factors for coronary disease."
The screening is specifically designed for women because their symptoms are often different.
"When we think of a heart attack, which is one form of heart disease, we often think of severe pain and someone clutching their chest or falling to the ground, but oftentimes the symptoms of heart disease are very subtle. The most common symptom of a heart attack or of coronary disease or a heart failure is actually shortness of breath."
The screenings are a flat fee of $99, no insurance is needed. For more information, visit www.piedmont.org/womensheart.
